What are the symptoms of melanoma?

Melanoma exists in a deeper layer of skin compared to other skins cancers. Experts say this is one of the reasons it is the most serious type of skin cancer. The deeper it starts from, the higher are the chances of it spreading.

Patients mainly have melanomas on the back of the legs, arms and face. However, it can affect other locations too.

The first signs of a melanoma could be:

• A new mole appears.


• An existing mole changes in appearance from its usual single color and round/oval shape, not larger than ¼ of an inch (6mm) in diameter.


• Melanomas look like moles with an irregular shape. They tend to have more than just one color. They are generally larger than ¼ of an inch (6mm) in diameter.


• With some patients the melanoma may itch, and even bleed.

There is an ABCDE checklist for finding out whether a mole is more likely to be normal or a melanoma:

• Asymmetrical - the mole is not symmetrical, one half is different in shape from the other.


• Border - the border is ragged or notched. Most normal moles have regular borders.


• Colors - while most normal moles have just one color, melanomas often have two or more.


• Diameter - the diameter of a melanoma is greater than most moles (1/4 inch or 6mm)


• Elevation - when touched the melanoma will feel slightly raised above the skin

Some people refer to Enlarging when talking about the last letter E.