What Does Melanoma Look Like?

The human skin is prone to a variety of spots, ranging from freckles to moles. It is really important to be aware of the difference between harmless moles and other marks, and something that could become a melanoma. In this article we will answer the question, "what does melanoma look like?" by comparing them to harmless moles.

Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer, and the one that causes the most deaths from skin cancer. They form in cells called melanocytes, where the skin makes melanin, the substance which gives the skin its color and helps to protect the skin from ultraviolet rays of the sun. If the skin gets an excess of ultraviolet light, the melanocytes may change and grow abnormally, becoming cancerous. This is melanoma.

Harmless moles are mostly evenly colored, and can be different shades of brown or black; they may be flat to the skin or raised. They are evenly shaped in a round or circular symmetrical shape, and are generally smaller than the diameter of a pencil. Some people are born with harmless moles; others develop them, singly or in groups, over a period of years, and they stay much the same color, size and shape for several years.

Melanomas are generally asymmetrical; that is, they are not an even shape all around the edges. They are mostly patchy in coloring, have uneven edges and are more than ¼ inch in diameter. Moles that could develop into a melanoma also have particular features and certainly look different to a harmless mole. Melanomas are often identified by an ABCDE system.

Asymmetry
Melanomas are usually asymmetrical in shape, which means that they do not have a uniform shape of a circle or oval like a harmless mole. They are usually more splotchy in appearance.

Borders
Melanomas have jagged or blurred borders or edges, rather than the smooth, even borders of harmless moles.

Color
A melanoma will have an uneven coloring to it, rather than the even shade of brown of a harmless mole. Melanomas may be patchy with different colors of brown, tan, white, red, pink, blue or grey.

Diameter
Melanomas are generally bigger than a harmless mole; larger than ¼ inch across. Some melanomas can be smaller but may change size. A harmless mole is mostly smaller than ¼ inch and generally stays the same shape and size.

Evolution
Melanomas are often identified because they quickly evolve in color, shape and/or size quite quickly, whereas a harmless mole will remain the same color, shape and size for a number of years without change. Any mark on the skin which changes should be examined by a doctor.

To summarize the important points that help you identify a possible melanoma: -

• The sides are not even all the way around; melanoma are asymmetrical
• The edges of melanoma are irregular or jagged
• The color varies on a melanoma and there may be different colors visible
• Measures more than ¼ inch and may grow suddenly
• The shape, color, and size changes, often in a short space of time

So, now you have an idea of "what does melanoma look like?" Any spot on your skin that has even some of these properties should be investigated as a matter of urgency. The sooner a diagnosis is made and treatment started, the better the outcome for the patient.