Melanoma vs Solar Lentigo

How to tell the difference — key features compared side by side.

Feature
Melanoma
Solar Lentigo
Category
Malignant
Benign
Key feature
The most dangerous skin cancer - but 99% survival when caught early. Learn the ABCDE signs.
Flat brown spots from cumulative sun exposure. Completely harmless - but sometimes confused with lentigo maligna (early melanoma).
Risk factors
Fair skin, light eyes, red or blond hair (Fitzpatrick types I-II); History of blistering sunburns, especially before age 18; More than 50 ordinary moles on the body
Cumulative sun exposure; Fair skin; Age over 40
Action needed
A new mole or spot that looks different from your other moles (the ugly duckling sign)
An age spot that is changing shape, developing irregular borders, or showing multiple colors

Melanoma

Melanoma develops in melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin and give your skin its color. While it accounts for only about 1% of skin cancers, it causes most of skin cancer deaths. The good news: when detected at stage I, the five-year survival rate exceeds 99%.

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Solar Lentigo

Solar lentigines are flat, well-defined, uniformly tan to dark brown spots caused by cumulative ultraviolet exposure. They are extremely common, appearing on the face, hands, forearms, shoulders, and chest of virtually everyone with significant sun exposure history.

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Does yours look more like melanoma?

Quick self-check

Does this look like melanoma? Answer 2 questions.

Has this spot changed in size, shape, or color recently?

Does it have multiple colors or irregular, blurred edges?

Still not sure?

Our full ABCDE checker evaluates 5 clinical criteria dermatologists use.

Full ABCDE check →