Melanoma is one of the most serious forms of skin cancer, but the good news is that early detection and increased awareness can significantly improve outcomes. At HMGS Dermatology, we’re committed to educating our community and providing expert care to help prevent and treat skin cancers. In honor of Melanoma Monday, we’re answering five of the most frequently asked questions about melanoma.
1. What Are the ABCDEs of Melanoma?
Recognizing melanoma early is critical—and the ABCDEs are a helpful guide for spotting warning signs on your skin:
- A – Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn’t match the other.
- B – Border: Edges are irregular, ragged, or poorly defined.
- C – Color: Uneven shades of brown, black, tan, or even red, white, or blue.
- D – Diameter: Larger than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser), though melanomas can be smaller.
- E – Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color, or behavior (itching, bleeding, crusting).
If you notice any of these changes, it’s time to schedule a skin check with your dermatologist.
2. Where on the Body Does Melanoma Typically Occur?
Melanoma can appear anywhere on the skin—even in places not typically exposed to the sun. Some of the more common areas differ by gender:
- Men: Trunk (chest and back), scalp, face.
- Women: Legs, especially the calves, as well as the face and neck.
It can also show up on the soles of the feet, fingers, toes, under nails, and even in the eyes or mucous membranes. That’s why a full-body skin exam is so important.
3. What Treatments Are Available for Melanoma?
Surgical excision is the main type of treatment for most early melanomas. This completed at HMGS Dermatology office, under local anesthesia, and within 30 minutes. Higher stage melanomas might be treated by a surgical oncologist with sentinel lymph node mapping.
There are also several FDA-approved treatment options for more advanced melanoma, that an oncologist can offer based on the stage of your melanoma.:
- Immunotherapy: (Nivolumab, pembrolizumab,relatlimab, ipilimumab) Boost the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells.
- Targeted Therapy: (vemurafenib, dabrafenib, encorafenib, cobimetinib, trametinib, and binimetinib) Created to attack genetic mutations in cancer cells.
- Other Advanced Options: Including interferon, oncolytic virus therapy and cellular treatments such as tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy
HMGS Dermatologists collaborate with cancer teams at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper to coordinate care.
4. Can Other Skin Cancers Turn Into Melanoma?
No—basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are different types of skin cancer and do not transform into melanoma. However, atypical moles (also called dysplastic nevi) can sometime develop into melanoma, so monitoring any changing or unusual moles is essential. Patients with numerous atypical moles are at higher risk for developing melanoma.
5. Can Melanoma Occur in Children?
Although rare, melanoma can occur in children, with about 300–400 cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Pediatric melanomas may appear differently than adult cases and sometimes behave more aggressively. Risk factors include:
- Fair skin and light hair/eyes
- Family history of melanoma
- Large number of moles or unusual mole patterns
If you notice any suspicious skin changes on your child, contact us right away for evaluation.
Protect Your Skin and Your Health
Perform monthly skin self-exams and don’t skip your annual visit for a skin check by an experienced healthcare professional. HMGS Dermatology diagnoses thousands of skin cancers yearly. We really see it all. Early detection is your best defense against melanoma.
At HMGS Dermatology, we’re here to help you stay proactive and informed about your skin health.
Schedule your skin cancer screening today and take the next step in protecting yourself and your loved ones.
Looking for more guidance? Check out our dermatology blog for additional skin care tips and information.
