What should you know about melanoma diagnosis by age?

Age can influence the pattern of melanoma seen in a population, but it cannot rule melanoma in or out for one person. Children, younger adults, and older adults can all have suspicious pigmented lesions. In younger people, a changing mark may be mistaken for an ordinary mole; in older adults, a new lesion may be overlooked as an age-related skin change.

Diagnosis depends on examination and tissue findings. A clinician considers the mark's evolution, border, colours, surface, location, and symptoms, alongside personal history and family history. A biopsy or complete removal is what allows a pathologist to identify melanoma.

Record when you noticed a mark and what has changed. Arrange a skin assessment if it is new, unlike your other moles, enlarging, irregular, or repeatedly bleeding. Parents should show a concerning mark on a child to the child's clinician; adults should not postpone review because of age. Read about [Melanoma](/conditions/melanoma/) before the appointment if you want to understand the terminology.

If melanoma is confirmed, treatment is guided by pathology rather than age alone. Possible discussions include [Skin Cancer Surgery](/treatments/surgical-dermatology/skin-cancer-surgery/) and, for selected cases, lymph-node assessment or systemic treatment. Tell the team about other conditions and medicines because these can affect planning.

Seek prompt review for a pigmented spot that changes in shape, colour, size, or elevation, or develops bleeding, crusting, persistent itch, or soreness. Seek urgent help for uncontrolled bleeding or severe illness. After diagnosis, contact the treating team for a new lump or persistent neurological symptoms; sudden weakness, confusion, or difficulty speaking needs emergency services.

Ask how your age, skin type, personal history, and family history affect the examination plan without treating age as a diagnosis. Ask whether the lesion needs removal, what the pathology shows, and whether [Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy](/treatments/diagnostics-and-staging/sentinel-lymph-node-biopsy/) or [Immunotherapy](/treatments/systemic-therapy/immunotherapy/) is relevant.