When you perform a skin check at home, you almost exclusively focus on unusual moles. This makes sense. Most people automatically connect skin cancer — especially melanoma — with new or changing moles. But melanoma has many faces, and limiting your skin checks to just atypical moles might cause you to miss other warning signs.
At Cleaver Medical Group Dermatology in Cumming, Dawsonville, Dahlonega, Johns Creek, Lavonia, Toccoa, and Canton, Georgia, our dermatologists see melanoma in all forms and want you to know what to look for. Here’s everything you need to know.
The ABCDE rule helps you identify suspicious moles (asymmetry, border irregularity, color variations, diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and evolution). This is an essential tool, but melanoma doesn’t always follow it.
Several types of melanoma can look nothing like the typical dark, irregular mole:
Nodular melanoma grows vertically into deeper skin layers rather than spreading across the surface. These often appear as dome-shaped, firm bumps that might be black, blue-black, reddish-brown, or even flesh-colored. They grow rapidly and account for about 15-30% of all melanoma cases.
Amelanotic melanoma contains little to no pigment. Instead of a dark mole, you might see a light pink or red spot resembling a pimple or minor irritation. Without the obvious dark coloration, these often go unnoticed until they’ve grown and spread.
Acral lentiginous melanoma develops in places you might not expect, such as your palms, soles of your feet, or under your nails. It might look like a dark streak resembling a bruise or an unusual dark patch.
Other melanomas might appear as small, symmetrical spots, red patches resembling eczema, or flesh-colored bumps that look like ordinary pimples. This is why paying attention to changes that persist or seem unusual can save your life, even when they don’t match the typical melanoma description.
Since melanoma can take many forms, follow these guidelines:
Watch for skin lesions that feel different. Any itching, tenderness, or pain you experience suddenly are red flags.
Melanoma is far more dangerous once it spreads beyond the skin. When caught early, the five-year survival rate exceeds 90%. After it spreads, that rate drops dramatically.
You know your skin better than anyone. If something seems different or concerning, don’t wait.
Our experienced dermatologists use specialized tools like dermoscopes to examine suspicious areas thoroughly and can perform biopsies when necessary.
Your vigilance matters. Call Cleaver Medical Group Dermatology today or book an appointment online for expert skin cancer screening. With offices in Cumming, Dawsonville, Dahlonega, Johns Creek, Lavonia, Toccoa, and Canton, Georgia, high-quality care is always nearby.