What should you know about micro melanoma?

Micro melanoma is not usually a separate medical subtype. It is an informal description of a melanoma that is small in size or detected at an early stage. A pathology report provides the more useful information: the tumour thickness, whether the surface is ulcerated, whether the edges are clear, and whether cancer cells are seen beyond the original skin site. A tiny lesion still needs proper assessment because size alone does not establish behaviour.

A dermatologist may examine the skin with dermoscopy and recommend removal of the entire suspicious area. The laboratory then confirms whether melanoma is present and records features that guide staging. Melanoma can spread to lymph nodes or distant organs, including the brain, but a small visible lesion does not by itself show that spread has happened.

Arrange timely review with a dermatologist or skin-cancer team, and take the original pathology report and any photographs to the appointment. Do not pick, shave or apply irritants to the site while waiting. Treatment commonly involves removing the melanoma with a planned margin of surrounding skin; the exact operation depends on the report and body location. Some people are offered a sentinel lymph node biopsy when tumour features make lymph-node staging useful. If staging shows more extensive disease, the team may discuss immunotherapy or other cancer treatment. Keep a record of new or changing moles and protect exposed skin from ultraviolet light.

Contact the clinic promptly if a mole changes in colour, shape or border, grows, bleeds, crusts, or becomes persistently itchy or sore. Seek urgent medical attention for heavy bleeding that does not settle with firm pressure, rapidly increasing swelling, severe pain, fever, or spreading redness after a biopsy or operation. New lumps near the treated area, unexplained headaches, seizures, weakness, or changes in vision need medical assessment rather than watchful waiting.

Ask: What does the pathology report say about thickness and ulceration? Are the margins clear? Do I need further excision or a sentinel lymph node biopsy? Has staging been completed? Which skin changes should trigger a call, and how often should follow-up checks occur?