Photo Special: Which One Is A Melanoma?

Posting Date: 12/15/2003

Actually, the only mole that does not show signs of malignant melanoma is Photo A.

While most moles are harmless, if you notice a sudden or continuous change in a mole, you should see a physician.

Here are some of the signs you should look for:

Asymmetry- one half does not match the other	Border Irregularity- the edges are ragged, notched or blurred.
Color-The pigmentation is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown and black are present. Red, white and blue may add to the mottled appearance	Size- A diameter greater than 6 millimeters, or a sudden or continuous increase in size should be of special concern.

Malignant melanoma can be easily cured if caught early, but if not found early and treated promptly, it can be very dangerous. Thousands of people die from melanoma each year, and more than 40,000 people will be diagnosed with it this year.

Get Informed

If you want to know more about skin cancer, check out HealthCentral.com's In-Depth Topic Center on Skin and Hair. You can also look up the topics melanoma and skin cancer in the HealthCentral.com Library.

Email this page  Printer Friendly Bookmark this page