Melanoma symptoms

This page is about the symptoms of melanoma skin cancer. There is information about

A quick guide to what's on this page
Moles that must be checked out urgently
Where you might get melanoma
Melanoma of the eye

Melanoma symptoms

There are definite signs that a mole is suspicious and should be seen by a doctor. If you have a mole that is

Getting bigger
Changing shape, particularly getting an irregular edge
Changing colour - getting darker, becoming patchy or multi-shaded
Itching or painful
Bleeding or becoming crusty
Looks inflamed

you should go to the doctor straight away. Moles with 3 or more different shades of brown or black are particularly likely to be melanoma. Melanomas are most common on the back in men and the legs in women.

Pre-cancerous moles can usually be removed under local anaesthetic. An early melanoma can be cured in this way. But if you leave them, they can become very difficult to treat.

Melanoma of the eye

Rarely, melanoma can start in the eye. This type of melanoma is most often diagnosed during a routine eye examination by an optician or eye specialist. There is more information about eye melanoma in the ‘eye cancer’ section of CancerHelp UK.

There are definite signs that a mole is suspicious and should be seen by a doctor. You should go to the doctor straight away if you have a mole that is

Getting bigger
Changing shape, particularly getting an irregular edge
Changing colour - getting darker, becoming patchy or multi-shaded
Itching or painful
Bleeding or becoming crusty
Looking inflamed

Research suggests that moles with 3 or more different shades of brown or black are particularly likely to be melanoma.

We have a page with some photographs of abnormal moles and melanomas. They should help you to recognise what is not normal. Remember though, that not normal for you is what counts.

Precancerous moles are very easy to treat. They can usually be removed under local anaesthetic. An early melanoma can be cured in this way. But if you leave them, they can become very difficult to treat.

Melanomas in men are most common on the back. In women, the commonest site is the legs.

Diagram showing where melanoma is most likely to develop on the body

More advanced melanoma can be difficult to spot without medical tests. If you have an enlarged lymph gland close to a suspicious mole, then you should definitely see a doctor as soon as possible.

Rarely, melanoma can start in the eye. If the melanoma is growing in the iris (the coloured part around the pupil), you may be able to see a dark spot. If it is growing inside the eye, there will be not be any outward sign. But you may have blurred vision. This type of melanoma is most often diagnosed during a routine eye examination by an optician or eye specialist. There is more information about eye melanoma in our eye cancer section.