Tuesday 06 February 2024
Susan Long – ÐÇ̽Â鶹's
You may be worried about melanoma skin cancer, have been recently diagnosed, or you may be thinking of someone you care about.
This page has information about melanoma skin cancer symptoms, getting diagnosed, managing treatment and side effects, and how ÐÇ̽Â鶹 can help.
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Melanoma is a type of cancer that usually starts in the skin.
Melanoma skin cancer starts when pigment-producing cells in the skin grow in an uncontrolled way and form a tumour.
It is sometimes called malignant melanoma or cutaneous melanoma.
The two main types of skin cancer are melanoma and non-melanoma. This page is about melanoma skin cancer.
There are several different types of melanoma skin cancer, including:
Melanoma can be primary or secondary.
Primary melanoma skin cancer is melanoma that has not spread beyond the skin or lymph nodes around the main tumour.
Secondary melanoma is when the cancer has spread from the skin cells to other parts of the body.
This is sometimes called advanced melanoma, metastatic melanoma or stage 4 melanoma.
Mucosal melanoma is rare cancer that starts in the mucus membrane. It can develop in the mouth, nose, throat, anus or around the genitals.
Melanoma of the eye, or ocular melanoma, is a rare cancer that starts in the eye. It is treated differently to melanoma skin cancer.
In the UK, the majority of melanoma skin cancers are caused by being exposed to too much ultraviolet (UV) light.
This can be linked to:
There are other factors that increase your risk of developing skin cancer specifically, including:
Other risk factors are common to all cancers. Find out more about reducing your risk of cancer.
Having risk factors does not necessarily mean you will get develop melanoma skin cancer.
It is helpful to be aware of the risks so you can see a doctor if you have any concerns.
You may be offered regular skin checks if you have high-risk factors or a family history of melanoma skin cancer. Find out more about genetic testing for cancer.
Melanoma skin cancer usually causes symptoms that you can see or feel.
The most common sign of melanoma is a change to the skin or a mole, such as:
Knowing what your skin looks like normally and checking for anything new, changing or unusual is the best way to detect melanoma skin cancer.
Melanoma often looks different from other moles.
The ABCDE checklist can help you spot the signs that a mole or patch of skin might be melanoma.
A – asymmetrical – an uneven shape
B – border – an irregular edge or border, that may be blurry or jagged
C – colour – an uneven colour, or different shades of black, brown, pink or red
D – diameter – wider than the end of a pencil, or 6  mm
E – evolving – changing shape, size or colour or becoming crusty, bleeding or itching.
Most people with these symptoms do not have melanoma skin cancer.
But if you do have symptoms, it is important to speak to your doctor.
If it is cancer, it will be easier to treat if it has been detected early.
It can be harder to spot melanoma skin cancer signs A, B, C, and D if you have dark skin, so it is especially important to look out for any changes to your skin.
If you have any symptoms of melanoma skin cancer, the first step will usually be to see your GP.
Your GP will ask you to describe your symptoms. You should also tell them about any previous skin conditions you have had, and if you have a family history of melanoma skin cancer.
The doctor might:
If you don't have a hospital appointment and your symptoms continue or get worse, you should make another GP appointment.
Find out more about preparing for your GP appointment.
A dermatologist is a skin specialist.
To find the cause of your symptoms, a dermatologist may arrange further tests, such as:
After these tests and scans, you will be given an appointment to receive your results.
Waiting for appointments, tests and results can be a difficult time, and you might find that that asking some questions and preparing for your results helps. Find out more about how ÐÇ̽Â鶹 can help.
The doctor will explain if you have melanoma in your results appointment, and whether you need further tests and scans to see if the cancer has spread.
It is normal to feel overwhelmed or in shock after hearing that you have melanoma, and you might have a lot of information to process.
Our cancer support specialists are here to listen, to help you understand what your diagnosis means, and to find the right support for you.
Find your nearest ÐÇ̽Â鶹 to talk to us, or find out more about understanding a cancer diagnosis.
Treatment can be aimed at shrinking a tumour, removing the cancer completely, or controlling the symptoms that it causes. You may have more than one type of treatment.
The treatments most commonly offered for melanoma skin cancer are:
Your cancer care team will work together to decide which treatment options could be best for you. Your doctor and specialist nurse will then discuss these with you.
You might want to get a second opinion before deciding on a treatment plan.
Making treatment decisions can feel daunting, and you might have lots of concerns or questions. Find out more about how ÐÇ̽Â鶹 can support you.
A melanoma skin cancer diagnosis can affect your life in many ways. You may be dealing with:
Contact or visit your nearest ÐÇ̽Â鶹 centre and together we will find the right support for you.
You can also explore our cancer support pages for more information.
When treatment ends, it can leave you with mixed feelings of relief and uncertainty.
For many people, melanoma skin cancer is treated successfully. For some, it comes back or is diagnosed at an advanced stage from the start.
We have more information on finishing treatment and treatment for advanced cancer, as well as courses and workshops to support you and your family beyond treatment.
We offer free expert psychological and practical support tailored to you, whatever stage you're at, and for friends and family too.
Last review: Nov 2024 | Next review: Nov 2027
Information on what melanoma skin cancer is, including the symptoms, causes, tests and treatments.
From Nhs
Last reviewed: 08 November 2024
A list of the different factors that can increase your risk of developing melanoma skin cancer, and how to reduce your risk.
From Cancer Research Uk (Cruk)
Last reviewed: 08 November 2024
Photo examples of different types of common skin cancer and how they can look.
From American Cancer Society
Last reviewed: 08 November 2024
Photos of abnormal moles or skin changes that could be melanoma and should be checked by a doctor.
From Cancer Research Uk (Cruk)
Last reviewed: 08 November 2024
Information about melanoma skin cancer, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and support.
From Macmillan Cancer Support
Last reviewed: 08 November 2024
Information about how staging and grading is used to determine if melanoma has spread, and about different types of melanoma.
From Cancer Research Uk (Cruk)
Last reviewed: 08 November 2024
Information about preparing for treatment, as well as treatment options and follow-ups for melanoma skin cancer.
From Skin Cancer Foundation
Last reviewed: 08 November 2024
Find out what advanced melanoma means, as well as treatments and support to help you cope.
From Cancer Research Uk (Cruk)
Last reviewed: 08 November 2024
Information about non-melanoma skin cancer, including basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer and other rare types. It covers the symptoms, causes, tests and treatments.
From Cancer Research Uk (Cruk)
Last reviewed: 08 November 2024
Information about mucosal melanoma, a type of melanoma that isn't skin cancer, including the symptoms, and recent advances.
From Aim At Melanoma
Last reviewed: 08 November 2024
Help and support available for anyone diagnosed with ocular melanoma, or their loved ones.
From Ocular Melanoma Uk
Last reviewed: 08 November 2024
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