What should you know about Parkinson’s and melanoma?

A diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease does not mean that someone has melanoma, and a melanoma diagnosis does not mean that Parkinson’s disease will develop. The two conditions can occur in the same person, so a new or changing mole, dark patch, bleeding spot, or non-healing lesion should be assessed rather than attributed to Parkinson’s disease or its treatment.

Melanoma is a skin cancer that may begin in a mole or appear on previously clear skin. If it is diagnosed, the medical team determines its depth and spread to guide care. Symptoms such as persistent headache, weakness, confusion, or seizures require medical attention for many possible reasons and should not be self-diagnosed as spread.

Check your skin in good light, including areas that are easy to miss, and ask someone you trust to help with the scalp or back. Record a lesion’s location and changes in shape, colour, border, size, bleeding, or sensation. Arrange a dermatology assessment for a suspicious change; a clinician may examine it with magnification and decide whether a biopsy is needed.

If melanoma is confirmed, care may include [Surgical Excision](/treatments/surgical-dermatology/excisional-surgery/), [Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy](/treatments/diagnostics-and-staging/sentinel-lymph-node-biopsy/), or medicines such as [Immunotherapy](/treatments/systemic-therapy/immunotherapy/), depending on the findings. Follow-up after treatment helps detect recurrence or a new skin cancer.

Seek a prompt skin review for a mole that changes, becomes asymmetric, develops an irregular border, gains varied colour, enlarges, bleeds, crusts, or remains itchy or sore. Seek urgent medical help for new weakness, seizure, severe confusion, or a sudden severe headache. These symptoms have several possible causes, but they should be evaluated without delay.

Ask how often your skin should be examined, which lesion changes matter most, and whether your Parkinson’s medicines affect the planned procedure or treatment. If melanoma is diagnosed, ask what staging tests are needed, who will coordinate care, and what follow-up symptoms should be reported.