What should you know about pre malignant melanoma?

Warning changes include asymmetry, an irregular border, uneven colour, growth, or a new spot that looks different from the others. A mole that bleeds, crusts, itches, or becomes sore also deserves review. These signs do not diagnose cancer by themselves; benign moles and other skin conditions can look unusual. Diagnosis usually involves a skin examination and, when needed, removal or sampling of the whole lesion for laboratory assessment.

Book a dermatology assessment for a new or changing lesion, and bring information about when you first noticed it and how it has changed. Do not repeatedly pick, shave, or burn the spot. Photographing it beside a ruler can help you describe change, but it should not delay examination. If melanoma is diagnosed, Surgical Excision is commonly used for the primary lesion; further planning depends on the examination and pathology findings.

Arrange prompt review for rapid change, spontaneous bleeding, a persistent sore, or a lesion that is noticeably different from your other moles. Seek urgent help for uncontrolled bleeding or signs of a severe infection after a procedure, such as spreading redness, pus, or fever. A suspected melanoma is not an emergency simply because it looks dark, but delay in assessing a changing lesion is unhelpful.

Ask whether the lesion needs a biopsy or complete removal, when pathology will be available, whether margins require further Skin Cancer Surgery, and whether a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy or other staging test is relevant. If treatment is needed, ask how follow-up will monitor for recurrence.