/assets/images/provider/photos/2844999.jpeg)
Does Melanoma Always Appear as an Atypical Mole?
Most people are told to watch for “weird-looking moles,” but melanoma doesn’t always follow the rules. In fact, some melanomas don’t look like moles at all.
Knowing what to look for (and what doesn’t fit the typical pattern) can make all the difference in catching skin cancer early. It’s also the perfect time to talk about it because May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month.
If this is a personal topic for you, we first encourage you to visit us at Goodman Dermatology and Mohs Surgery to see Dr. Seth Goodman, Dr. Matt Goodman, or Roshan Kottoor, PA-C. They can address any concerns you have about a suspicious spot and/or conduct a skin exam.
In the meantime, let’s talk about what melanoma could look like.
The “ABCDE rule” points to classic melanoma signs
Many melanomas do begin as atypical moles. These often follow the ABCDE rule:
- Asymmetry
- Border irregularity
- Color variation
- Diameter larger than a pencil eraser
- Evolving in size, shape, or color
These are important warning signs, and most melanomas fall into the atypical mole category.
Keep in mind that a melanoma doesn’t have to check all five ABCDE boxes. For example, you could have an asymmetrical melanoma with irregular borders and coloring that isn’t quite as large as a pencil eraser.
Melanoma doesn’t always look like a mole
Some melanomas appear as new spots and don’t resemble typical moles at all.
They may look like:
A small dark spot that stands out from others
The “ugly duckling” rule is a way to screen for melanoma. Most benign moles on your body tend to look similar in color, shape, and size. A spot that stands out from the rest (something that doesn’t match your typical pattern) is considered the “ugly duckling” and should be evaluated by our team.
A pink, red, or skin-colored bump
While most melanomas resemble typical mole colors (shades of brown or even black), some may be pink, red, or even skin-colored. The skin-colored melanomas, called amelanotic melanoma, account for 8% of melanomas.
A flat patch that slowly changes over time
Melanomas don’t have to be raised moles. They can appear flat.
A bruise on your nail
Sungungla melanomas can look like a bruise on your nail. It usually appears as a dark vertical stripe on your big toenail or your thumb.
An itchy sore
Sometimes melanoma can look like a sore that bleeds, scabs, or doesn’t heal within a few weeks. It may feel itchy, tender, or irritated without a clear cause.
Spots in areas not exposed to the sun
When you think about skin cancer, you likely think about sun-exposed areas of skin, but melanoma isn’t limited to sun-exposed areas.
It can develop on:
- The scalp
- Under the nails
- The soles of your feet
- Areas that don’t get much sun
Because of this, regular full-body skin checks, both at home and with your Goodman Dermatology and Mohs Surgery dermatologist, are non-negotiable.
How do you know if you have melanoma?
If you have concerns about any spot on your skin, the next step is to schedule a professional skin exam in our Sun City, Sun City West, or Wickenburg, Arizona, office.
During your visit, our team performs a thorough, head-to-toe evaluation of your skin. We may use a dermatoscope, a painless, specialized tool that allows us to examine spots more closely and identify subtle changes not visible to the naked eye.
If we find anything suspicious, we may recommend a biopsy. This involves taking a small sample of your skin and examining it under a microscope to determine whether it’s benign, precancerous, melanoma, or another type of skin cancer.
If melanoma is diagnosed, treatment depends on how deep the cancer extends into your skin. In many cases, when caught early, it can be effectively treated (and often cured) with a simple excisional surgical procedure to remove the affected area.
Mohs surgery is usually done for other types of skin cancer, but if the melanoma is on your face, we may recommend Mohs surgery.
Schedule your skin cancer screening this May
Most skin changes turn out to be harmless, but melanoma is one of those conditions where catching it early truly changes the outcome. Getting it checked is quick, simple, and worth the peace of mind.
With a combined 50 years of experience in dermatology and Mohs surgery, our team is here to help. Schedule an appointment in the Arizona location closest to you or simply give us a call at (623) 254-7375.