The term dysplastic naevus (DN) is a convenient diagnostic label for the majority of melanocytic lesions presented to pathologists in Australasia.

But, although the WHO designated specific criteria

The timely diagnosis of potentially lethal melanomas requires vigilance and attention to the basic principles taught in medical school: thoughtful history-taking followed by thorough examination.

In 1978 some saw but did not comprehend. But that was before hand-held scopes

Well before hand-held dermatoscopes were available, Dr Neville Davis who was the head of the Brisbane melanoma unit wrote

Minute clues can help you to identify suspicious spots.

The head and neck area is one of the most common sites for non-melanoma skin cancer as it is usually highly affected by the sun. Successfully

Melanomas reflect the chaotic growth of malignant cells, which is why dermatoscopic chaos (asymmetry of structure and/or colour) and other clues become increasingly apparent as they grow.

This

The dermatoscopic algorithm Chaos and Clues relies on the chaotic behaviour of malignant tissue to produce both asymmetry (chaos) and clues to malignancy (Figure 2).

Every melanoma starts as a minute

Diagnostic algorithms assist the clinician to triage lesions systematically and to identify those that require (excision) biopsy. An algorithm is also a useful structure on which to organise

The only way to prevent death from melanoma is to detect it and excise it before the melanoma metastasises. 

True, in situ melanomas cannot metastasise because there are no blood vessels or

The decision algorithm Chaos and Clues, like most published dermatoscopic decision algorithms for pigmented skin lesions, relies primarily on asymmetry to flag suspicion of malignancy.

If asymmetry

While malignant tissue defies natural laws and grows chaotically there are some sites where that chaotic growth is restrained in the early growth of a tumour by architectural obstacles.

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