Melanoma is considered highly curable when caught in its earliest stages, before the disease has spread. However, if not identified and treated quickly, melanoma may spread to other areas of the body, including distant organs.
If melanoma spreads (a condition called invasive melanoma) it may become difficult or impossible to cure. In these cases, melanoma can be fatal.
Here are some statistics from the American Cancer Society that highlight the seriousness of melanoma:
- An estimated 207,390 new cases were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2021.
- In 2021, an estimated 101,280 invasive melanomas were diagnosed.
- An estimated 7,180 people in the U.S. die from melanoma in 2021.
Signs & Symptoms of Melanoma
But melanoma may occur anywhere on the body, including palms, soles of the feet, and underneath fingernails. Rarely, melanoma can form in parts of the body other than the skin, such as the mouth, eyes, or intestines.
A melanoma lesion frequently looks like a mole in its earliest stages. Melanomas often appear as black or brown splotches, but may also be pink, white, blue, or purple. While melanoma often looks like a mole, it may also form as normal-looking skin that is sore, sensitive, or itchy.
Melanoma lesions may form suddenly or may evolve from existing moles. While melanoma can take on many different forms, the general warning sign is a changing or atypical mole.
Consult a doctor if you notice changes in your skin. These may include red flags such as:
- The sudden appearance of new moles or growths
- Moles that change in size over time (exceeding 1/4 inch)
- Asymmetrical moles
- Moles with uneven borders
- Moles that change in color
- Moles that begin to itch, bleed, or become sore