Melanoma-Moles (Skin cancer) - Medtick
Medtick

Melanoma-Moles (Skin cancer)

What is it?

Melanoma is a skin cancer that arises from a skin cell called a melanocyte multiplies, this skin cell makes a the pigment called melanin that gives one skin its colour.

The four major types of melanoma, classified according to growth pattern, are as follows:

  1. Superficial spreading melanoma: Constitutes approximately 70% of melanomas; usually flat but may become irregular and elevated in later stages; the lesions average 2 cm in diameter, with variegated colours, as well as peripheral notches, indentations, or both.
    • Melanoma occurs most commonly on the trunk in White males and the lower legs and back in White females, but one still should check all over their body to see anything unusual.
  2. Nodular melanoma: Accounts for approximately 15-30% of melanoma diagnoses; the tumours typically are blue-black but may lack pigment in some circumstances
  3. Lentigo maligna melanoma: Represents 4-10% of melanomas; the tumours are often larger than 3 cm, flat, and tan, with marked notching of the borders; they begin as small, freckle like lesions.
    • Lentigo maligna is is typically located on the head, neck, and arms (chronically sun-damaged skin) but one still should check all over their body to see anything unusual.
  4. Acral lentiginous melanoma: Constitutes 2-8% of melanomas in whites and 35-60% of them in dark-skinned people; may appear on the palms and soles as flat, tan, or brown stains with irregular borders; subungual lesions (nailbed lesions) can be brown or black, with ulcerations in later stages.

Medscape

Primary risk factors and clinical warning signs for melanoma include:

  • Changing mole (most important clinical warning sign)
  • Presence of xeroderma pigmentosum or familial atypical mole melanoma syndrome
  • Clinical atypical/dysplastic nevi in familial melanoma
  • Sporadic (nonfamilial) clinical atypical/dysplastic nevi (particularly > 5-10 nevi)
  • Melanoma in first-degree relative (especially multiple relatives)
  • A large number of common nevi (> 100)
  • Previous melanoma
  • Male sex
  • Age older than 50 years
  • Sun sensitivity or a history of excessive sun exposure or sunburns
  • Large (giant) congenital nevi (> 20 cm diameter)
  • Prior nonmelanoma skin cancer (basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma)
  • Immunosuppression

Medscape

Check for moles

Person with new skin condition and/or many moles and unusual moles should check themselves once a month and  should be checked by your medical doctor/dermatologist every 4–12 months depending on their past history/family history and/or sun exposure or if one experienced anything unusual.

Cause

Changes in DNA in melanocytes due to:

Treatments

  • Sunbeds
  • Previous radiotherapy treatment
  • Exposure to radiation, such as X-ray treatment

Syndrome

Medication

  • Long term use of Hydrochlorothiazide

Increased risk is due to:

  • Family or personal history of melanoma
  • History of sunburns
  • Having many freckles or developing freckles easily
  • Having fair skin, naturally red or blond hair, and/or blue or green eye colour
  • Having a large number of moles (over 50) measuring ≥ 2 mm or greater in diameter
  • Weak immune condition

Symptoms

  • Look at pictures, does it resemble to one’s moles?

One has any moles described below:

  • Asymmetrical (two halves may differ in shape in the same area)?
  • Borders irregular or blurred sometimes show notches?
  • Uneven or different shades or black/pink/brown?
  • At least 6 mm in diameter?
  • Change in shape, size, diameter and colour?
  • Have any mole on skin, not healing, bleeding or oozing with pus?
  • Feel a change in sensation?
  • Mole very hot red, red or swollen?
  • Acral lentiginous melanoma – may appear on the soles and palms as stains that look flat, brown, or tan with irregular borders (mainly in dark skinned persons)?

Nail changes:

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

This condition can also cause:

General tips:

Do not wait, see your Medical Doctor if ever in doubt

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Melanoma-Moles (Skin cancer) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

© Medtick - 2025. All Rights Reserved.