Melanoma

Melanoma Signs and Symptoms

Like most cancers, melanoma is best treated when it is diagnosed early. Recognizing the warning signs of melanoma can help you know when to seek treatment. Because the symptoms of melanoma may resemble other conditions or medical problems, it’s important to consult your doctor promptly for evaluation.

Learn more about melanoma diagnosis.

Melanoma Symptoms

These are the most common symptoms of melanoma. However, each individual may experience different skin findings or symptoms.

Signs and symptoms may include:

• Change in the size, shape, color or elevation of a mole
• Oozing or bleeding from a mole
• A mole that looks different from your other moles or feels itchy, hard, bumpy, swollen or tender to the touch

Melanoma can spread to other parts of the body through the lymph system, or through the bloodstream. If you have a suspicious mole or skin lesion, make an appointment with one of our experienced melanoma experts at the Stanford Skin Cancer Program.

Melanoma Colors

Because most melanoma cells produce melanin, melanoma tumors are often brown or black in color. However, they can also be flesh-colored, bluish or pink in nature. Melanoma can also appear on the body as a "new" pigmented lesion, not arising in a pre-existing mole.

Where Does Melanoma Appear?

Most melanoma starts in the skin and is called cutaneous melanoma.

• It most often appears on fair-skinned men and women.
• People with darker skin types can also be affected, particularly on the palms, soles or nails.
• In men, melanoma most often appears on the back.
• In women, the legs and trunk are more common sites.
• Melanomas can also develop on the face, neck or other areas of excessive sun exposure.
• Rarely, melanomas can form in parts of the body not covered by skin such as the eyes, mouth, genital region and brain.

Melanoma vs. Benign Mole

To find melanoma early, when it is most treatable, it is important to examine your skin on a regular basis. Familiarize yourself with your moles and other skin lesions, so that you can identify any changes. Moles that are at higher risk for becoming malignant include:

• Nevi, a certain type of mole
• Congenital nevi, moles that are present at birth, particularly when they are large in size
• Atypical moles (dysplastic nevi)

However, the vast majority of melanomas do not arise from a pre-existing mole (common, congenital or dysplastic types). Therefore, we do not recommend the mass removal of benign-appearing, stable nevi. Learn more about types of cysts and moles.

ABCDE Signs of Skin Cancer

Recognize changes in your moles by following this ABCDE Chart. Checking yourself regularly is helpful in detecting melanoma at its earlier, more curable stages. "E" stands for an evolving lesion, which means one that is different in appearance compared to other moles or that changes in size, shape, or color.

The ABCD warning signs are:

• A: Asymmetry
  When half of the mole does not match the other half
• B: Border
  When the border (edges) of the mole are ragged or irregular
• C: Color
  When the color of the mole varies (multiple hues of brown, black, white, red or blue)
• D: Diameter
  If the mole's diameter is larger than a pencil eraser (generally 5-6 mm in diameter)
• E: Evolving
  A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color

Melanomas vary greatly in appearance. Some melanomas may show all of the ABCDE characteristics, while others may show few or even none of these warning signs. The "ugly duckling" sign may also be a helpful way to detect melanoma in an earlier stage. This involves simply looking at the skin for a lesion that doesn't match the rest.

Stanford Skin Cancer Program

Make an appointment today at the Stanford Skin Cancer Program.