How can you tell if melanoma is malignant?
The most important warning sign of melanoma is a new spot on the skin or a spot that is changing in size, shape, or color. Another important sign is a spot that looks different from all of the other spots on your skin (known as the ugly duckling sign).
When should a mole be checked?
Most moles are benign (non-cancerous). If you notice changes in a mole’s color or appearance, have your mole evaluated by a dermatologist. You also should have moles checked if they bleed, ooze, itch, appear scaly, or become tender or painful.
How does melanoma make you feel?
Melanoma can cause pain in the bones where it’s spread, and some people—those with very little body fat covering their bones—may be able to feel a lump or mass. Metastatic melanoma can also weaken the bones, making them fracture or break very easily. This is most common in the arms, legs, and spine.
How does a doctor check if a mole is cancerous?
A skin specialist (dermatologist) or plastic surgeon will examine the mole and the rest of your skin. They may remove the mole and send it for testing (biopsy) to check whether it’s cancerous. A biopsy is usually done using local anaesthetic to numb the area around the mole, so you will not feel any pain.
What are signs of melanoma?
Signs and Symptoms of Melanoma Skin Cancer. Unusual moles, sores, lumps, blemishes, markings, or changes in the way an area of the skin looks or feels may be a sign of melanoma or another type of skin cancer, or a warning that it might occur. A normal mole is usually an evenly colored brown, tan, or black spot on the skin.
What is a dangerous mole?
In and of themselves, moles are not dangerous . A mole is just an area of skin with extra pigment. The pigment gathers in a rounded shape, which is sometimes raised, and this is the mole. Some moles have hair growing from them, and this doesn’t make them dangerous either!
Does melanoma make you sick?
Advanced melanoma may cause more general symptoms that don’t necessarily tell you where the cancer has spread. Symptoms may include weight loss, fatigue, bowel problems and feeling sick. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your physician.
Can melanoma cancer be cured?
Melanoma can be cured surgically if it is diagnosed and treated early when the tumor is thin and has not deeply invaded the skin. However, if a melanoma is not removed during this time, cancer cells may continue dividing under the skin’s surface and invade healthy tissue.