Melanoma: Photos, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Melanoma is a fast-growing skin cancer, but prevention with sun protection and mole checks significantly reduces risk.

Melanoma

Melanoma is currently recorded as the most aggressive skin cancer. Its incidence in the general population has been increasing in recent years internationally and in Greece. However, when melanoma is detected early, it is treated with high success rates.

What is Melanoma? Melanoma is a dangerous, highly invasive cancer that spreads from the skin to many parts of the body. Melanoma originates from melanocytes, the cells found in the upper layer of the skin that produce melanin, the substance that gives our skin its color. Usually, a dysplastic nevus (mole) pre-exists at the site where a melanoma forms, although a melanoma can also develop in a new location. Moles: Learn more “The number of melanocytes is the same in black and white people; what changes is the production of melanin by these cells.”

Causes of Appearance The exact cause of melanoma is not known. However, scientific research has concluded that exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause melanoma to form or can transform a mole into melanoma.

Moles - Melanoma: Photos

Melanoma & Risk Factors All people, regardless of skin color and ethnicity, can develop melanoma. However, some are at higher risk. The risk factors for developing melanoma are as follows: Excessive sun exposure or unprotected exposure to solar radiation or indoor artificial tanning. You have fair skin and light-colored eyes with naturally red or blonde hair. Less melanin in the skin means less sun protection. You have had blistering sunburns in the past. You have more than 50 moles. Most moles (nevi) are harmless. However, the risk of developing melanoma increases if the number of your moles is greater than 50, if you have a mole covering a large area of the skin, and if you have one or more atypical moles. You have a weakened immune system. For whatever reason your immune system is weakened, the risk of melanoma increases. You have had another type of skin cancer or have been treated for melanoma in the past. In this case, as in some other types of cancer, you are at higher risk of melanoma.

Types of Melanoma Superficial Spreading Melanoma (Superficial spreading melanoma) Superficial spreading melanoma appears as a flat, slightly raised lesion with irregular borders, in shades of brown, black, red-pink, blue, and white. This is the most common type of melanoma, accounting for 60-70% of cases. It can appear on an existing mole or be a new lesion. This melanoma can be found anywhere on the body, with higher frequency on the trunk of men and the legs of women, as well as on the back of both sexes. As its name suggests, this melanoma primarily develops slowly in more superficial layers before progressing to its more invasive phase.

Nodular Melanoma (Nodular melanoma) Nodular melanoma is recognized as a bump on the skin, usually blue or black in color, and can often be pink to red. Nodular melanoma is the second most common and the most 'aggressive' type of melanoma. It grows and spreads faster than other skin cancers. The growth can be mushroom-shaped with or without a stalk. It usually appears on the face, chest, or back, and can also be found in areas not exposed to the sun.

Melanoma of Malignant Lentigo (Lentigo maligna melanoma) Lentigo maligna melanoma usually resembles a large, brownish spot, slightly raised with an irregular outline. This is a less common form of melanoma, affecting older individuals over 60 years of age. It appears on skin that has sustained chronic sun damage, mainly on the face and neck. It is the third most common type of melanoma, appearing more frequently in women.

Acral Melanoma (Acral - lentiginous melanoma) Its appearance is characterized by dark lesions (freckles or lentigines). This is a rarer form of melanoma where lesions are found in inconspicuous areas on the feet and hands, on the palms and soles, and under the nails.

Amelanotic Melanoma (Amelanotic melanoma) Amelanotic melanoma is an achromatic or pinkish, firm nodule, possibly with a light brown border, which may resemble a scar or form a wound. It is a rare type of melanoma, and the absence of color makes its clinical diagnosis difficult, often leading to its detection at an advanced stage.

Nail Melanoma Nail melanoma is a rare form of melanoma and occurs mainly in people of Asian descent, people of color, or those with darker skin tones. Characteristic of subungual melanoma is the vertical black line that can form due to melanin deposition and should prompt a visit to a dermatologist.

Melanoma in the Eye & Mucous Membranes In addition to skin melanoma, there are melanomas in other areas of the body, such as the eye (ocular melanoma), nose, mouth, and genitals.

Metastatic Melanoma When melanoma spreads and metastasizes, it is called metastatic melanoma. Common sites of metastasis include lymph nodes, bones, liver, and brain.

Melanoma: Symptoms & Self-Examination Melanoma presents in different sizes and shapes. An early sign of melanoma is a spot that looks different on your body, such as a change in a mole or the appearance of a new one. The following international guide, using the first 5 letters of the alphabet, can help you with self-examination of moles and timely communication with your dermatologist. A - Asymmetry The following international guide, using the first 5 letters of the alphabet, can help you with self-examination of moles and timely communication with your dermatologist. B - Border The border of a mole is not clearly defined when it comes to melanoma. C - Colour

Color differentiation with localized dark and light to even colorless areas is an indication that they should be evaluated by a specialist. D - Diameter Lesions larger than 6 millimeters should be checked by a specialist, as the likelihood of them developing some degree of dysplasia increases. E - Evolution A change in the size, color, or shape of a mole is always a reason to visit a dermatologist. The ABCDE rule is a valuable tool for the early diagnosis of melanoma. However, sometimes the characteristics of melanoma are not absolute. For this reason, every change, every new mark on the skin, must be examined by a dermatologist. For example, if all the moles you have on your skin are large, brown or black, and you recently noticed a small red mole, you should have it checked.

Diagnosis Clinical examination and dermatoscopy by a dermatologist are important in-office procedures for diagnosing melanoma. Equally important is mole mapping, especially for individuals with a history of cancer or many moles on their body. Biopsy, however, is the definitive test that will confirm any suspicion of melanoma. If the result is positive, the next step is to investigate whether the melanoma has spread and to stage it, for which the doctor will recommend additional tests.

Melanoma Treatment The stage of the melanoma, its characteristics, and the patient's general health condition will determine the treatment plan for managing the disease. Surgical removal is the treatment of choice for melanoma, while the doctor will also consider therapeutic options such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy.

Prevention Our greatest defense against melanoma is prevention, which means regular check-ups with a dermatologist, according to their recommendations, and protection measures against ultraviolet radiation. The basic prevention guidelines for melanoma are: Avoid sun exposure from 11 AM to 4 PM when radiation is very strong. Use and remember to reapply sunscreen all year round, even on cloudy days. Wear comfortable clothing and a hat that protects from the sun. Avoid tanning beds. Familiarize yourself with your skin, perform self-examinations, and do not forget regular visits to the dermatologist.

Bibliography https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/ https://www.eof.gr/c/document_library/get_file?p_l_id=14016&folderId=480449&name=DLFE-2440.pdf https://www.skincancer.org/blog/more-than-moles-melanoma/ https://eody.gov.gr/maios-minas-eyaisthitopoiisis-gia-to-melanoma https://www.euromelanoma.eu/en-intl/ https://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/melanoma/types

Written by Scientific team of Facemed Clinic on Mar 29, 2021 - Reviewed by Dr. Christoforos Loizides updated Jun 17, 2025 Clinical Dermatology Warts Moles Mole Mapping VIEW ALL

How does melanoma appear?

The majority of melanomas appear on normal skin and do not manifest as moles. That's why it's important not to ignore any changes you notice on your skin.

What symptoms, other than those mentioned, should prompt me to see a dermatologist?

Contact your dermatologist if you notice: Wounds that don't heal, bleeding from a mole, black spots in the eyes, blurred vision or loss of vision.

Is melanoma curable?

There is no simple answer to this question. Melanoma is a serious disease that requires careful management, and therefore, rapid and decisive actions are needed after diagnosis. Following the biopsy and staging resulting from the histological report and other examinations, the treatment plan you will follow will be determined based on the stage of the disease.

How is malignant melanoma treated?

The treatment of melanoma in its early stages may be surgical only. Other types of treatments such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy are effective for more advanced cases, often in combination with surgery.

How can I protect myself from melanoma?

90% of skin cancers are caused by ultraviolet radiation, either through direct sun exposure or from tanning beds. You can effectively reduce the risk of developing melanoma if you don't burn your skin in the sun or by other means, if you seek shade during the hours when the sun is strongest (12:00 - 16:00), if you use sunscreen in sufficient quantity (and reapply every 2 hours), and if you are even more careful near water, snow, and sand due to radiation reflections.

I noticed that one of my moles swelled. What should I do?

Any change in the size, color, or shape of one of your moles is a reason to visit your dermatologist to rule out the possibility of malignancy.