In the first part of this article about Melanoma, we learned about what is Melanoma and what are the causes. In this part we will find out about symptoms of Melanoma.

Signs & Symptoms of Melanoma

Look for changes in the moles. The ABCD system of the American Cancer Society is very easy to understand.

A-Asymmetry. One half doesn't match the other half.

B-Border irregularity, with ragged, notched, or blurred edges.

C- Color. The pigmentation is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown, and black are present. Changes in colour distribution, especially the spread of colour from the edge of a mole into the surrounding skin, also are an early sign of melanoma.

D-Diameter. The mole or skin growth is larger than 6 mm (0.2 in.).

Any other change in the appearance of an existing mole should be looked into for a possibility of Melanoma. Thickening or raising of a previously flat mole, scaling, erosion, oozing, bleeding, or crusting of the mole surface, redness, swelling, etc. in the surrounding skin or sensations, such as itching, tingling, or burning and friability of the mole are symptoms of melanoma. As melanoma grows, the symptoms such as bleeding from a mole or pain may appear.

A melanoma which has begun to spread may include- swollen lymph nodes, colourless lump or thickening under the skin, unexplained weight loss and melanosis(graying skin).These symptoms are not conclusive and are manifested in many other conditions.

Graying of the skin (melanosis). Many other conditions have symptoms similar to melanoma.



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