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