![]() There is a change in size, usually an increase. Areas of white, gray, red, pink, or blue may also be seen. Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present. The pigment may spread into the surrounding skin. The edges are often ragged, notched, or blurred in outline. The shape of one half does not match the other half. The "ABCDE" rule describes the features of early melanoma ( 2, 6): Melanoma may also appear as a new colored or otherwise unusual area on the skin. Often the first sign of melanoma is a change in the shape, color, size, or feel of an existing mole. ![]() Melanomas in people with dark skin are typically found under the fingernails or toenails (usually initially appearing as a pigmented streak in the nail), on the palms of the hands, or on the soles of the feet. So it is very important that people with dark skin be aware of the warning signs of melanoma (see What does melanoma look like?). Advanced melanomas are harder to control and typically have a worse prognosis than melanomas diagnosed at an earlier stage. However, people with dark skin tend to be diagnosed with more advanced melanoma than people with fair skin ( 5). For example, in 2017–2018, the lifetime risk of being diagnosed with melanoma was 2.9% (1 in 34) for White people but 0.1% (1 in 1,000) for Black people and 0.5% (1 in 200) for Hispanic people. People with dark skin are much less likely than people with fair skin to develop melanoma. When melanoma develops in women, it is often found on the back or the lower legs. When melanoma develops in men, it is often found on the head, neck, or back. In addition, melanoma can also develop in the eye (called uveal melanoma), under the nail, the digestive tract, and other areas of the body. It can develop from a common mole or dysplastic nevus, but more often it develops in an area of apparently normal skin. Most melanocytes are in the skin, and melanoma can occur on any skin surface. The earlier that melanoma is detected and removed, the more likely that treatment will be successful. It is potentially dangerous because it can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body, such as the lung, liver, bone, or brain. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in melanocytes. Should people have a doctor remove a dysplastic nevus or a common mole to prevent it from changing into melanoma? For people who also have a family history of melanoma, doctors may suggest a more frequent skin exam, such as every 3 to 6 months ( 3). For people with more than five dysplastic nevi, doctors may conduct a skin exam once a year because of the moderately increased risk of melanoma. Sometimes, people or their doctors take photographs of dysplastic nevi so changes over time are easier to see ( 2). People with dysplastic nevi should have their skin examined by a doctor regularly ( 2, 4). The skin on the surface becomes dry or scaly.It changes in shape, texture, or height. ![]() People should tell their doctor if they see any of the following changes in a dysplastic nevus ( 2): In addition, many doctors recommend that people with dysplastic nevi check their skin once a month ( 2, 4). Everyone should protect their skin from the sun and stay away from sunlamps and tanning booths, but for people who have dysplastic nevi, it is even more important to protect the skin and avoid getting a suntan or sunburn. ![]()
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