Since most melanomas appear on the skin exposed to the sun, it is easier to diagnose the condition in the early stages. However, for a confirmed diagnosis of melanoma in the early stages, one should regularly examine their skin for any unusual growths or changes in existing moles. This includes looking for changes in the appearance of any existing moles. In this article, we’ll discuss the common symptoms and types of melanoma.

Symptoms

Mole with ABCDE
The initial symptom or sign of melanoma is the appearance of a new mole or a spot on the skin. It could also be a change in the color or size of a pre-existing mole. One can use the ABCDE strategy to analyze whether a skin growth is associated with melanoma:

• A – Asymmetry: This new mole growth has a particularly irregular shape.
• B – Border: The edge of the mole is not even and is rather notched or irregular.
• C – Color: A new mole is not the same color as the other moles. It might have dark spots or an uneven shading.
• D – Diameter: The mole or spot is about ¼ inch in diameter or about 6 mm in size.
• E – Elevation or Evolving: The spot continually changes its texture, shape, or size.

Ugly duckling
Another warning symptom of melanoma is an ugly duckling. This is a recognition strategy stating that the normal moles on the body are somewhat similar to one another, but melanoma moles would stand out like an ugly duckling. So, it is important to not just check for any irregularities but also compare moles with one another. Moles that indicate melanoma are darker or lighter, larger or smaller in comparison to the other moles.

Other symptoms

• Sores that aren’t healing
• Tenderness, itchiness, or unusual pain
• Redness, pigment, or swelling that spreads beyond the border
• Changes in an existing mole
• The appearance of dark spots in the iris
• Partial loss of vision or blurry vision

Types
Primarily, there are four types of melanoma, and the symptoms may vary according to the type:

• Superficial spreading melanoma
  It is, by far, the most commonly diagnosed type of melanoma and is usually seen on the limbs or on the trunk area.
• Nodular melanoma
  The second most prevalent form of melanoma, it affects the neck, head, or trunk and grows faster than the other types of melanomas.
• Lentigo maligna melanoma
  It is a fairly less prevalent type of melanoma and predominantly affects old people. Cancer develops on the body parts that have been most exposed to the sun over long periods, and this particularly includes the face.
• Acral lentuginous melanoma
  This is the most uncommon variant of melanoma that appears on the palms, nails, or soles. Dark-skinned people are not affected by most other types of melanoma, but this one is common among them.

Understanding the symptoms and types of melanoma can help facilitate early diagnosis and timely treatment for the disease.