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Melanoma: What it Looks Like
While only 4% of diagnosed skin cancer
is melanoma, melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer
because of its ability to spread. This is why it is so important to
catch melanoma early when the cure rate with dermatological surgery
is about 95%.
Where Occurs
Melanoma can appear anywhere on the body — soles, palms, inside the
mouth, genitalia, and underneath nails. However, it is most commonly
found on the back, buttocks, legs, scalp, neck, and behind the ears.
Warning signs
Melanoma often develops in a pre-existing mole that begins to change
or a new mole. It is estimated that 20% to 40% of melanomas arise
from an atypical mole. This is why it is so important to be familiar
with the moles on your body and perform regular self-examinations of
your skin. When looking at moles, keep in mind the ABCDEs of
Melanoma Detection:
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Asymmetry. If you could
fold the lesion in two, the two halves would not match.
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Border. Melanomas often
have uneven or blurred borders.
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Color. Melanoma typically
is not one solid color; rather it contains mixed shades of tan,
brown, and black. It can also show traces of red, blue
or white.
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Diameter.
While melanomas are usually greater than 6 millimeters (about
the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be
smaller. If you notice a mole different from others, or which
changes, itches, or bleeds even if it is smaller than 6
millimeters, you should see a dermatologist.
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Evolving.
A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is
changing in size, shape or color.
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It is important to realize that a mole
may have some of the characteristics described above and not be a
melanoma. A biopsy is often necessary to distinguish an atypical
mole from a melanoma.
Other warning signs of melanoma include:
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Change in the appearance of a mole,
such as the spreading of the pigment from the border of the mole
into the surrounding skin
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A mole that looks scaly, oozes, or
bleeds
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Itching, tenderness, or pain in a mole
or lesion
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Brown or black streak that appears
underneath a nail or around the nail
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Bruise on the foot that does not heal
Diagnosed Cases of Melanoma
Notice that several of these tumors conform to the ABCDs of
Melanoma Detection.
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Above are two diagnosed cases of
superficial spreading melanoma, the most common type of
melanoma, which usually begins as a spot that looks much like a
freckle that spreads sideways.
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Diagnosed cases of
nodular melanoma, a very aggressive type that tends to grow
down into the skin rather than sideways.
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An advanced case of lentigo maligna melanoma, a type of
melanoma that tends to develop on skin that has received years
of sun exposure. It usually begins as a patch of mottled
pigmentation that may be dark brown, black, or tan. |
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An advanced case of acral lentiginous melanoma, a type
of melanoma that is often overlooked in its early stages
when
it resembles a bruise or nail streak. |
(Photos used with
permission of the American Academy of Dermatology
National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides)
Contact a Dermatologist
When detected and properly treated in its early stages, melanoma has
a cure rate of about 95%. Left untreated, the prognosis is poor.
Regular self-examinations of your skin play a key role in early
detection. Should you spot a suspicious lesion, contact a
dermatologist immediately.
All
content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology |
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Approximately 20%
to 40%
of melanomas arise in association with a dysplastic
nevus (atypical mole).
American Academy
of Dermatology |
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