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Symptoms of Melanoma



A perceptible change in existing moles should be the first clue to the onset of melanoma. However, do keep in mind that not all melanomas originate from pre existing moles or warts. Melanomas may also occur on normal skin. Some signs and symptoms of melanoma include:

• Change in structure or appearance of an existing mole.
• Any new development of abnormal skin growth such as boils, warts, moles or even discoloration or pigmentation of skin.
• Skin growths such as moles and warts are very common and should not cause alarm. However, moles that indicate melanoma may show unusual characteristics such as asymmetrical shapes, irregular borders, uncharacteristic color or difference in skin color, large or raised growths and moles that change shape or color over a short period.
• Other changes may include itching or bleeding in or around skin growths.
• Some moles may show signs of scaling, oozing or spreading pigments into nearby skin.
• Darker complexioned individuals may also need to check unobvious areas for hidden melanomas such as under the nails, mucous membrane around the nose, mouth, esophagus, lungs, genital area, and so on.
• Another important region that melanomas can affect is your vision. Melanomas in the eye may cause vision changes and left untreated may cause blindness.