What are the early symptoms of melanoma?

Mar 12, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Wenmin

Introduction

In general, early symptoms of melanoma include changes in skin color, alterations in shape, blurred borders, changes in diameter, itching, or pain. In daily life, it is important to take proper sun protection measures, avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, especially during periods of high ultraviolet (UV) radiation, reduce UV damage to the skin, and lower the risk of malignant transformation of melanocytes.

Generally, early symptoms of melanoma include changes in skin color, changes in the shape of pigmented spots, blurred borders, changes in diameter size, itching, or pain. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Skin Color Changes

New black or brown patches may appear on normally pigmented skin, with uneven coloring that might include shades of red, white, or blue. Due to abnormal proliferation of melanocytes leading to disordered pigment distribution, the color of existing moles might also darken or display a mixture of colors.

2. Shape Changes in Pigmented Spots

Early melanomas often have irregular shapes, differing from the round or oval shape of common moles. As tumor cells infiltrate surrounding tissues, they disrupt the normal skin structure and may present with uneven, jagged, or map-like edges.

3. Blurred Borders

Due to the invasive growth of tumor cells, the lesion area gradually blends with normal tissues, resulting in unclear borders that are difficult to distinguish from surrounding healthy skin, unlike the relatively neat and clear borders of common moles.

4. Changes in Diameter Size

The diameter of early melanoma is generally larger than 6 millimeters, whereas common moles are usually smaller than this. If a black or brown patch on the skin rapidly increases in size beyond 6 millimeters, it should be considered a high warning sign.

5. Itching or Pain

As tumor cells stimulate surrounding nerve endings, some patients may experience itching at the affected skin site in the early stages of melanoma, or feel mild pricking, burning, or other uncomfortable sensations.

In daily life, it is important to take sun protection measures, avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, especially during periods of strong ultraviolet radiation, to reduce damage to the skin from UV rays and lower the risk of malignant transformation of melanocytes.

View All

Is drug intervention effective for melanoma?

In general, if melanin formation is caused by acquired factors such as local inflammation or ultraviolet radiation, it may be intervened through medication treatment with potential effectiveness. However, if the melanin formation is triggered by such acquired factors, it may be difficult to treat effectively with medications. Therefore, melanin-related conditions should not be blindly treated with drugs.

View Full Answer

What are the differences between black moles and melanoma?

Morphological Appearance: Black moles usually have a regular shape, often round or oval. They have clear edges and well-defined borders, with a natural transition to the surrounding skin. Melanomas often have irregular shapes and may appear asymmetrical, with one side differing from the other. The edges are uneven and may be jagged or blurred.

View Full Answer

What does it mean if a black spot appears on the sole of the foot?

In general, a black spot appearing on the sole of the foot may be caused by factors such as pigmentation, healing after trauma, plantar warts, pigmented moles, or melanoma, and appropriate management depends on the specific situation. If a black mole appears on the sole of the foot, it is important to carefully observe whether its size, shape, and color are uniform. If abnormalities occur, such as rapid growth or irregular borders, prompt medical attention is recommended.

View Full Answer

What does it mean if a black mole grows on the glans penis?

The glans refers to the head of the penis. Generally, the presence of a black mole on the glans penis may be caused by a pigmented nevus, penile macule, superficial penile vein thrombosis, fungal balanitis, melanoma, or other reasons, and appropriate management is required depending on the specific situation. In daily life, it is recommended to develop good living habits, maintain genital hygiene, and change underwear regularly. Additionally, it is important to practice good personal conduct and avoid unsafe sexual practices.