Melanoma Symptoms and Signs

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The primary symptom of melanoma skin cancer is a mole, sore, lump, or growth on the skin. Any change in appearance of a pigmented skin sore over time is a warning sign of malignant melanoma.


To understand melanoma symptoms, remember ABCD system:

• Asymmetry: One half of the abnormal area is different from the other half.
• Borders: The lesion or growth has irregular edges.
  
  
• Color: Color changes from one area to another, with shades of tan, brown, or black (sometimes white, red, or blue). A mixture of colors may appear within one sore.
• Diameter: The trouble spot is usually (but not always) larger than 6 mm in diameter -- about the size of a pencil eraser.

There are also other symptoms of melanoma that connect with moles you should consider:

• Scaliness
• Itching
• Change in texture — for instance, becoming hard or lumpy
• Spreading of pigment from the mole into the surrounding skin
• Oozing or bleeding

Malignant moles vary greatly in appearance. Some may show all of the changes listed above, while others may have only one or two unusual characteristics. The key to treating melanoma is recognizing symptoms early. You might not notice a small spot of concern if you don't look carefully, so perform thorough self-examinations monthly, and schedule a formal skin exam with a dermatologist yearly.

Main article: Melanoma Diagnosis