- Most melanomas tend to be flat at first, and spread across the skin surface as they grow. At this early stage, which can last 1 - 5 years or longer, removing the growth has an excellent chance of curing the melanoma. Still, there is a possibility that some of these melanomas are invasive, and they should be treated aggressively.
- Lesions that become raised or dome-shaped over at least part of their surface indicate that downward growth has occurred. In some cases, this growth is very rapid, occurring over a period of weeks to months.
Have any suspicious lesion checked immediately, especially if it has grown quickly or is partially flat and partially raised.
Location
Common sites of melanoma in men include:
- Head
- Middle of the body (trunk)
- Neck
Common sites of melanoma in women include:
- Arms
- Legs
However, melanoma can affect any area of the skin. You may not notice melanomas if they appear on areas that are difficult to examine, such as the scalp or back.
Less common sites for melanoma include:
- Fingers
- Genitals
- Lips
- Palms
- Soles of the feet
- Under the fingernails or toenails
A dark lesion under the nail that runs into the nearby skin and doesn't heal may be a sign of melanoma.
Rarely, melanomas appear in the mouth, iris of the eye, or retina at the back of the eye, where they may be found during dental or eye examinations. While quite rare, melanoma can also develop in the mucus membranes, such as the vagina, esophagus, anus, urogenital tract, and small intestines.
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Click the icon to see an image of melanoma. |
Review Date: 07/04/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical
School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by
David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
