What should you know about early melanoma?

Melanoma begins in pigment-producing cells and may appear as a new or changing dark mark, but colour alone does not establish the diagnosis. Uneven shape, irregular edges, several colours, growth, bleeding, crusting, or a spot that differs from nearby marks deserves assessment. A clinician may use dermoscopy and remove the suspicious area for laboratory examination. The report describes features such as thickness and ulceration, which help determine whether further staging is needed.

Arrange a prompt appointment with a dermatologist rather than monitoring a changing lesion indefinitely. Do not pick, burn, or apply home removal products. If melanoma is confirmed, treatment commonly begins with surgical excision of the lesion and a margin of surrounding skin. Depending on the report, a sentinel lymph node biopsy or another staging discussion may be considered. Specialist teams may discuss immunotherapy when disease features make additional treatment appropriate.

Seek prompt medical assessment for a mark that changes in size, shape, colour, sensation, or surface, especially if it bleeds or fails to heal. Contact a clinician quickly after a melanoma diagnosis if you develop a new lump, persistent unexplained pain, or neurological symptoms such as weakness, confusion, or a new severe headache. These symptoms do not prove spread, but they should not be ignored.

Ask what the biopsy shows, whether the margins are clear, how deep the melanoma is, and whether staging tests are needed. Discuss the recommended operation, scar care, warning signs during healing, skin checks, and the schedule for follow-up after cancer treatment.