What should you know about fungating melanoma?

The surface may look like a wound, lump, ulcer, or cauliflower-like growth. It can ooze, smell, crust, hurt, or bleed with light contact because tumour tissue and nearby skin are easily irritated. This appearance signals a serious local problem, but the visible surface alone cannot show how far melanoma has spread. A clinician may examine the lesion and nearby lymph nodes, then arrange imaging or tissue assessment when appropriate.

Melanoma can spread to lymph nodes or distant organs, including the brain. The care plan depends on the tumour's site, depth, symptoms, and staging assessment.

Arrange prompt review with a dermatologist or cancer team. Keep the area covered with a clean, non-stick dressing if it rubs against clothing, and wash hands before and after changing it. Do not pick, shave, cauterise, or apply unprescribed creams to the growth. If bleeding starts, apply steady gentle pressure with clean gauze and seek urgent help if it does not settle.

Possible care may include surgical excision or other skin cancer surgery, treatment to control symptoms, and medicines such as immunotherapy when suitable. A sentinel lymph node biopsy may be discussed as part of staging in selected cases.

Seek urgent medical help for bleeding that continues despite firm pressure, rapidly worsening pain, spreading redness, fever, confusion, faintness, or difficulty breathing. A strong new odour with increasing discharge can indicate infection and needs assessment. Contact the treating team promptly if the dressing repeatedly becomes soaked or the lesion changes quickly.

Ask what the examination and staging show, whether the wound needs a specialist dressing plan, which treatment is intended to control the melanoma, and how pain, odour, bleeding, and sleep disruption will be managed. Ask whom to call outside clinic hours and when follow-up will occur.