A precancerous mole often looks unusual, typically following the ABCDE rule: Asymmetry (uneven halves), irregular Borders (ragged, notched), varied Color (browns, blacks, reds, blues), a large Diameter (bigger than a pencil eraser), and Evolving (changing in size, shape, or color). It might also feel rough, scaly, crusty, bleed, itch, or appear as a new, odd spot that differs from your other moles (the "ugly duckling" sign).
Color: Whereas a common mole is one color, a precancerous mole is often a mixture of various colors like brown, black, red, or blue. Diameter: The larger the mole, the more likely it is precancerous. If a mole is larger than five millimeters, it should be evaluated by a doctor.
Visible signs of precancerous skin
Crustiness or bleeding. Diameter of less than one inch. Discoloration, often appearing brown, pink, gray, red, yellow, or white. Flat or slightly raised.
Melanoma can occur anywhere on the skin, but it is more common on the trunk (chest and back), head or neck in men, and the arms and legs in women.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that is very rare in children under 10 years of age. Most cases of melanoma in children are diagnosed in teens aged 15-19 years.
What are the signs of melanoma?
Only rarely does a common mole turn into melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. Although common moles are not cancerous, people who have many small moles or several large ones have an increased risk of developing melanoma (1).
Melanomas most often develop in areas that have had exposure to the sun. This includes the arms, back, face and legs. Melanomas also can happen in areas that aren't as exposed to the sun. This includes the soles of the feet, palms of the hands and fingernail beds.
Spread of pigment from the border of a spot into surrounding skin. Redness or a new swelling beyond the border of the mole. Change in sensation, such as itchiness, tenderness, or pain. Change in the surface of a mole – scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or the appearance of a lump or bump.
Melanoma is more aggressive and can spread quickly. However, it can still go unnoticed for months or even years, particularly if it develops in less visible areas like the scalp, back, or under nails. Early-stage melanomas might look like ordinary moles, making them easy to overlook.
Malignant melanoma referral guidelines
Urgently refer (appointment within two weeks) if: a person presents with a suspicious pigmented skin lesion that has a weighted seven-point checklist score of three or more. OR a dermoscopy suggests malignant melanoma of the skin.
Some actinic keratoses can turn into squamous cell skin cancer. Because of this, the lesions are often called precancer. They are not life-threatening. But if they are found and treated early, they do not have the chance to develop into skin cancer.
A spot that changes colour from brown to black or is varied. A spot that becomes raised or develops a lump within it. The surface of a mole becoming rough, scaly or ulcerated. Moles that itch or tingle.
A dermatologist can usually identify spots that are likely to be skin cancer just by looking at them. The doctor will then take a closer look at the cancerous spot using a special magnifying lens: Basal cell carcinoma usually appears as a sore that won't heal, or a brown, black, or blue lesion.
Photodynamic Therapy
In this procedure, a doctor applies a topical medication to the skin, which collects in precancerous cells, making them sensitive to light. He or she activates the medication with a laser, which destroys the lesion.
The risk of an atypical mole becoming cancerous is about 1%, compared to . 03% for an ordinary mole.
you have a mole that's painful or itchy. you have a mole that's inflamed, bleeding or crusty. you have a new or unusual mark on your skin that has not gone away after a few weeks. you have a dark area under a nail that has not been caused by an injury.
Normal (benign) moles are usually soft to the touch. They might feel 'spongy' or 'wobbly' when you press on them. But if a mole feels firm, scaly or rough – or if you can feel a hard lump – it can be a cause for concern. What's more, a lump doesn't have to be big for the growth to be dangerous.
Melanomas are usually brown or black, but some can appear pink, tan, or even white. Some melanomas have areas with different colors, and they might not be round like normal moles. They might grow quickly or even spread into the surrounding skin.
Common symptoms of melanoma include:
Research has found that some groups have a higher risk of metastatic melanoma, including:
Melanomas are likely to have an uneven shape. The two halves may be different shapes or sizes (asymmetrical). Normal moles usually have a more even shape and the two halves are similar (symmetrical).
Persistent crusty moles need medical attention if they don't heal within 4 weeks, change appearance, bleed unexpectedly, or cause pain. These signs could indicate skin cancer requiring prompt evaluation. A small crusty patch on a mole might seem insignificant, but it could signal something important.
You're also more likely to get melanoma if you have: