Signs and symptoms of melanoma skin cancer

Melanoma skin cancer is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that arises from the pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes.
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of melanoma skin cancer early is crucial for effective treatment and a better prognosis.
Melanoma can develop anywhere on the skin, but it is most commonly found on areas exposed to the sun, such as the back, legs, arms, and face.
However, it can also occur in less exposed areas like the soles of the feet, palms, and under the nails.
The most common signs of melanoma include changes in an existing mole or the development of a new, unusual-looking growth on the skin.
The ABCDE rule is a helpful guide for identifying potential melanomas: - **A**symmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half.
- **B**order: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
- **C**olor: The color is not uniform and may include shades of brown or black, or sometimes patches of pink, red, white, or blue.
- **D**iameter: The spot is larger than 6 millimeters across (about ¼ inch, the size of a pencil eraser), although melanomas can sometimes be smaller.
- **E**volving: The mole is changing in size, shape, or color.
Other symptoms may include a sore that doesn’t heal, spread of pigment from the border of a spot into surrounding skin, redness or a new swelling beyond the border, change in sensation such as itchiness, tenderness, or pain, and changes in the surface of a mole such as scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or the appearance of a lump or bump.
If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, it is important to seek medical advice promptly.
Early detection and diagnosis are key to successful treatment.
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