Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. One in every five Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime.
While melanoma is the least common type of skin cancer, it’s the most dangerous. If caught and treated early, melanoma is almost always curable.
Keep reading to learn more about melanoma and the three warning signs of melanoma dermatologists wish you knew and didn’t ignore.
What Is Melanoma?
Melanoma, the most aggressive type of skin cancer, is a malignant tumor that begins in the melanocytes. Melanocytes are tiny cells that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for giving skin its color.
Often, melanoma is caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light comes from the sun and tanning beds or lamps. Excessive exposure to UV radiation can damage the DNA of melanocyte cells.
Unrepaired DNA damage can trigger mutations and changes in these cells, causing them to quickly grow out of control and create a cancerous tumor. Melanomas usually appear as new marks or blemishes on the skin that may resemble moles. However, some can form from existing moles.
Melanomas typically occur on parts of the body that have received overexposure to UV radiation, including the face, arms, back, and legs. Rarely, they can occur in parts of the body that have never been exposed to UV rays, such as the soles of the feet, lips, palms of the hands, under the nails, or even on internal organs.
Melanoma is more common in people of European descent. However, regardless of skin color, anyone can develop it. Although melanoma accounts for only 1 percent of skin cancers, it’s the deadliest.
It can spread quickly to other parts of the body, which is harder to treat. Once it spreads, it has a 10 to 15 percent survival rate.
The earlier melanoma is detected, the higher the survival rate. When caught before it reaches the lymph nodes, the survival rate is more than 90 percent. That’s why it’s imperative to know the tell-tale signs of melanoma.
What are the Warning Signs of Melanoma?
Different ways exist to determine whether a mole or lesion could be melanoma. They include:
The Ugly Duckling
People with many moles are at a higher risk for developing melanoma. However, that doesn’t mean you should panic over every spot or mark on your body.
“Be on the lookout for moles that are different from the rest,” says Daniel Aires, MD, JD, FAAD of Golden State Dermatology in Walnut Creek. These could be lighter or darker than the others, oddly shaped, or have changed recently.
Moles or spots that stand out are called ugly ducklings and might be a sign of melanoma. If you’re concerned about a spot that looks different from the surrounding moles or marks, you should get it checked by a dermatologist immediately.
The ABCDEs
Be on the lookout for any of the ABCDEs of melanoma. See your dermatologist immediately at Golden State Dermatology if you notice any of the following symptoms.
For hard-to-see parts of the body, use a mirror or ask someone to help you check those areas. The ABCDEs are:
A-Asymmetrical
Melanoma is usually asymmetrical. This means the mole or spot is irregular or uneven in shape. One half of the mole may not match the other, or it could be of a different size or shape.
Non-cancerous moles tend to be more even, and the two halves are symmetrical or similar.
B-Border
The edges around melanomas (border) are often irregular or uneven. They may seem more jagged, scalloped, or blurry. Normal moles typically have smooth, regular borders.
C-Color
Melanomas usually have an uneven color with more than one shade. They may be different shades of brown, tan, black, or pink.
Some may have a blue tint, white areas, or appear red. A lack of color on a mole could also be a warning sign of melanoma. Cancerous spots or moles may lose their pigmentation partially or entirely.
Ordinary moles often have an even color. If they have two colors, the colors are symmetrical across both halves.
D-Diameter
Most melanomas are more than ¼ inches or 6 millimeters (mm) wide, but they may be smaller if detected early.
E-Evolving
Melanomas can change or evolve in shape, color, or size. A mole or spot with melanoma might also become crusty or itchy.
Additionally, you may notice a change in sensation around or in a mole, such as becoming painful, tender, hard, or lumpy. A mole that starts to bleed or ooze and doesn’t heal on its own could be another indication of melanoma.
While all these changes are not a sure sign of melanoma, you should still get it checked by your dermatologist immediately.
EFG Signs
Nodular melanoma, the most aggressive form, is found in 10 to 20 percent of cases. It often first appears as a raised lesion or bump on the skin and grows fast and vertically beneath it.
Nodular melanoma becomes quickly invasive, and within months, it metastasizes or spreads to other parts of the body. Unlike other melanomas, nodular melanomas are small in diameter and more even in color and shape.
Nodular melanomas can be brown, blue-black, or black; up to 50 percent are skin-colored or pink-red. They are usually mistaken for harmless skin conditions like acne, blood blisters, moles, or insect bites.
Due to its aggressive nature and ability to develop undetected, prompt detection of nodular melanoma is critical to saving lives. If nodular melanoma hasn’t spread at diagnosis, the patient survival rate is approximately 98 percent.
However, if it has metastasized to other parts of the body, survival rates decline to about 22 percent after five years. Nodular melanoma doesn’t follow the ABCDE rule and can go undetected in the early stages.
Fortunately, the EFG method can aid in identifying changes in lesions or moles suggestive of nodular melanoma. Nodular melanomas typically have the following features:
E-Elevated
If a bump or lump is raised or elevated around the surrounding skin, it could be an indication of nodular melanoma. The surface may be smooth, crusted, or rough.
F-Firmness
Nodular melanomas are like hard lumps and very firm to the touch.
Ordinary moles are usually soft to the touch. They may feel spongy when you press on them.
G-Growing
A nodular melanoma can grow rapidly, with changes noticed over days or weeks. A lump or bump that grows quickly should be seen immediately by a dermatologist.
Benign lesions on the skin typically remain stable or change gradually over the years.
Protect Your Skin from Melanoma
It’s essential to have a skin exam annually or promptly if there’s a change in your skin. The experienced team at Golden State Dermatology can detect melanoma early before it becomes life-threatening. “Sun protection isn’t just about avoiding sunburn—it’s your first line of defense against melanoma. Regular skin checks and daily SPF use are small habits that can make a life-saving difference,” said Dr. Aires.
Have you noticed a suspicious-looking mole, bump, or spot? Don’t panic. Book an appointment online at one of Calkin & Boudreaux’s convenient locations. Timely detection is a must if you suspect melanoma.