What should you know about different kinds of melanoma?

Superficial spreading melanoma tends to grow across the upper skin before becoming deeper. Nodular melanoma more often forms a raised lesion that grows downward early. Lentigo maligna melanoma usually starts in sun-damaged skin, often on the face, scalp, or neck. Acral lentiginous melanoma begins on the palms, soles, or beneath a nail and may be harder to notice. A melanoma can also develop in the eye or other less visible sites. The type is confirmed by examining a biopsy, not by appearance alone.

Melanoma is a serious skin cancer, but its outlook and treatment depend on depth, spread, location, and other findings. A diagnosis does not mean that cancer has spread elsewhere. Staging may include a careful skin and lymph-node examination, imaging in selected situations, and sometimes a sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Arrange a dermatology assessment for a new or changing dark mark, especially when it shows uneven halves, an irregular edge, several colours, or clear change over time. Do not scrape, burn, or repeatedly pick at it. Photographing the area beside a ruler can help you describe change, while a clinician’s examination remains necessary. If melanoma is suspected, surgical excision is commonly used to remove the lesion for diagnosis and treatment. Further skin cancer surgery, tumour removal surgery, or immunotherapy may be considered according to the stage and site.

Book a prompt dermatology appointment for a mole or mark that is enlarging, bleeding, crusting, persistently itchy, painful, or changing in colour or shape. Seek urgent medical care for severe symptoms such as sudden weakness, confusion, seizures, or a severe new headache, particularly if you already have melanoma, because these symptoms can have causes that need immediate assessment. Follow-up after cancer treatment helps clinicians look for recurrence and new skin changes.

Ask which melanoma type the biopsy shows, how deep it is, whether the edges are clear, and whether lymph-node assessment is needed. You can also ask how often your skin should be checked, which symptoms should trigger an earlier visit, and whether close relatives need advice about skin surveillance.