Malignant melanoma

Alternative names:

acral lentiginous melanoma; cancer of the skin (malignant melanoma); lentigo maligna melanoma; melanoma - acral lentiginous; melanoma - lentigo maligna; melanoma - malignant; melanoma - nodular; melanoma - superficial spreading; nodular melanoma; skin cancer - malignant melanoma; superficial spreading melanoma

Symptoms:

ALL FORMS

• skin lesion or growth
  • usually a papule (raised) or macule (raised)
  • color varying (brown, black, red or bluish)
  • mixture of colors in one lesion
  • irregular borders, often asymmetrical
  • a change in appearance over time in pigmented skin lesion
  • bleeding from a skin growth

SUPERFICIAL SPREADING MELANOMA

• skin lesion or growth
  • small
  • irregular border
  • red, white, blue, blue-black color
  • located on the trunk, limbs, or other areas
  • possible ulceration and lack of healing

NODULAR MELANOMA

• skin lesion or growth
  • small
  • nodules, bumps
  • firm
  • shiny
  • color possibly ranging from pearl to black
  • possible ulceration and lack of healing

ACRAL LENTIGINOUS MELANOMA

• skin lesion or growth
  • dark color
  • usually on the palms, soles, tips of fingers or toes, mucous membranes
  • possible ulceration and lack of healing

LENTIGO MALIGNA MELANOMA

• skin lesion or growth
  • irregular borders
  • large
  • brownish color with darker speckles
  • usually on skin that has been overexposed to the sun

Signs and tests:

The appearance of the skin lesion may indicate malignant melanoma.

A skin biopsy and examination can confirm the diagnosis. An X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or other procedures may be indicated to determine if spreading (metastasis) has occurred.