What should you know about macular melanoma?

Macular means the visible area is mainly a colour change rather than a raised growth. Melanoma can develop in existing pigmented skin or arise as a new mark. It may show asymmetry, an irregular edge, uneven shades, enlargement, or a change in sensation, but appearance alone cannot confirm the diagnosis. A clinician may use magnified examination and arrange a biopsy so the cells can be assessed.

Melanoma is a serious skin cancer because abnormal pigment-producing cells can grow into nearby tissue and, in some cases, spread. A flat appearance does not make a changing mark harmless. The page on [Melanoma](/conditions/melanoma/) explains the broader condition.

Book a prompt appointment with a dermatologist for a new or changing pigmented mark. Do not attempt to remove it at home or cover it with repeated cosmetic treatments. Bring a list of medicines, prior skin cancers, family history, and photographs showing change over time. Depending on the examination, care may include [Surgical Excision](/treatments/surgical-dermatology/excisional-surgery/), [Skin Cancer Surgery](/treatments/surgical-dermatology/skin-cancer-surgery/), or [Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy](/treatments/diagnostics-and-staging/sentinel-lymph-node-biopsy/). More advanced disease may lead to discussion of [Immunotherapy](/treatments/systemic-therapy/immunotherapy/).

Seek prompt medical assessment if a pigmented patch is enlarging, changing shape or colour, bleeding, crusting, persistently itching, or developing a new lump. Urgent review is appropriate for rapid change or a sore that does not heal. These signs do not prove melanoma, yet waiting for a mark to settle can delay diagnosis. If melanoma has already been diagnosed, new neurological symptoms need immediate medical attention because spread can rarely involve the brain; information about [Brain Metastases](/conditions/brain-metastases/) may help explain that concern.

Ask whether the mark needs a biopsy, what the examination can show, how quickly results are expected, and whether any further surgery or staging assessment is needed.