Melanoma

The most dangerous type of skin cancer.

Introduction

What is melanoma?

Melanoma is considered the most dangerous form of skin cancer as it typically will spread to other areas of the body, including organs, if left untreated.

Non-melanoma skin cancers, such as Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Basal Cell Carcinoma, are generally considered less dangerous as they are less likely to spread and can usually be treated with surgery. It can occur anywhere on the body, including areas not exposed to the sun, like inside the mouth or the palms of the hands. Men are more likely to get melanomas on their back while women are more likely to experience them on their legs.

Melanoma begins in melanocyte cells. It occurs when those cells behave abnormally, growing excessively and taking over surrounding tissues. They can develop from existing moles or skin growths, but, more commonly, they will start as a new growth.

For more on common forms of skin cancer, view our page on Skin Cancer.

“Although melanoma can develop by coincidence, most cases of melanoma are likely caused by radiation from sunlight; some studies even put incidences of skin cancer caused by sun exposure at around 95%.”
CATEGORIES

All about Melanoma

Causes

Everyone is at risk of getting Melanoma, however not everyone has the same risk as a large variety of factors can cause it. From personal or family history to outside behaviour – there is a lot that can impact skin health.

Symptoms

It is crucial to stay on top of your moles, even when you have been watching yourself thoroughly. There are many symptoms to look out for, especially suspicious or changing moles are important to keep a close eye on.

Types

Melanoma is often segmented into four different types. Three of them start relatively in situ, although this can definitely change over time. One type, however, can be invasive right from the start and may spread to other parts of the body quickly.

Prevention

Melanoma is the most dangerous skin cancer and can do some serious harm, however when the right prevention methods are used it can be caught early. There are many ways to prevent it from forming, some more obvious than others.

Vera Heydendael

Senior Dermatologist

Melanoma has been on the rise for years for different reasons. Increased tanning, low awareness and more sun exposure during holidays.

Early detection is the key to treating it. The earlier it is found, the more treatment options there are.

Make sure to self-check your whole body every 3 months if you have more than 50 moles. In other cases, do it at least twice per year.

Pictures of Melanoma

Our overview of melanoma pictures includes pictures of moles and other skin lesions, that you can use as a first comparison to any moles you might feel uncomfortable with.

The melanoma pictures give you an idea of what it can look like. Signs of melanoma can differ in form, color or borders. These signs are measured below each picture.

Other characteristics such as diameter and evolution are not shown, as they are difficult to assess through static images. However, when you check your skin, make sure to check for these signs, too.

Disclaimer: These images contain visual content that might be perceived as disturbing.

Asymmetry
Border
Color
Asymmetry
Border
Color
Asymmetry
Border
Color
Top posts

About melanoma

Are melanoma moles painful?

Melanoma commonly appears from either new or existing moles. There are several symptoms of melanoma to be aware of, pain being one of them. When it forms, a mole can become painful. However, not every painful mole is melanoma. Read here what you need to know about painful moles.

Melanoma that looks like a freckle

Melanoma is a scary disease because it can often look quite similar to harmless looking blemishes, like a mole or a freckle. According to DermNet New Zealand, about 75% of melanomas are new spots that appear in otherwise normal looking skin. The rest will form from an existing mole or spot. The key to early detection is knowing the warning signs that distinguish the harmless from the dangerous with freckles and moles

Melanoma that looks like a pimple

Melanomas come in many shapes and forms. It can often be difficult to distinguish them from your average mole or blemish. In some cases, a type of melanoma called nodular melanoma can even look frighteningly similar to a pimple. So how do you tell the difference? Read the warning signs to watch out for below.

PREVENTION METHODS

How SkinVision can help you!

SkinVision enables you to check your skin spots for signs of skin cancer within 30 seconds. Our algorithm is currently at the level of a specialist dermatologist.
In skin spots with a potential health risk, SkinVision provides feedback about the preferred next step to take.

SkinVision also enables you to store photos to keep track of changes over time, helping you to monitor your health in the long term.

The efficient and easy-to-use solution is available for iOS and Android and helps to make skin monitoring a simple routine.

Ready to take the first photo?

Download SkinVision from the App Store or Google Play and start checking your skin now.