A raised area of skin with black coloration, regular borders, and a diameter of 3 mm is MOST consistent with which presentation?

• A. Angioma
• B. Melanoma
• C. Basal cell carcinoma
• D. Nevus

Answer: (D)

A benign pigmented lesion with a small, well-defined, uniformly dark appearance fits a melanocytic nevus (mole). Nevi are typically raised or flat, have smooth, regular borders, and show a uniform color without variation. This stability and symmetry contrast with melanoma, which often has asymmetrical shape, irregular borders, multiple colors, and a diameter that’s commonly larger than 6 mm or changing over time. The description also doesn’t match angiomas, which are usually red or purple due to blood vessels, or basal cell carcinomas, which often look pearly or waxy and may have telangiectasias or ulceration. So the features point toward a benign nevus as the most consistent presentation.