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Melanoma

Melanoma

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. It develops in melanocytes, the cells that produce pigments, and while it accounts for a smaller share of skin cancer diagnoses than basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma, it’s responsible for the large majority of skin cancer deaths because of how quickly it can spread if not caught early. The good news: when melanoma is detected and treated early, the outlook is excellent. At Genesis Dermatology in Jupiter, FL, our board-certified dermatologists specialize in early detection and treatment of melanoma and other skin cancers.
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What Is Melanoma?

Melanoma occurs when melanocytes undergo DNA damage, often from UV exposure, and begin to grow uncontrollably. It can develop within an existing mole or appear as a brand-new spot on skin that looked normal before, and it can occur anywhere on the body, including areas with little or no sun exposure.

What sets melanoma apart from other skin cancers is how it behaves once it grows deeper into the skin. Depth of invasion, known as Breslow depth, is one of the strongest predictors of outcome, which is exactly why early detection changes the trajectory of this disease more than almost any other cancer.

How to Detect Melanoma

Dermatologists use the ABCDE rule to evaluate moles and spots during self-exams and clinical visits:
  • Asymmetry: one half of the spot doesn't match the other
  • Border: edges are irregular, notched, blurred, or poorly defined
  • Color: multiple shades of brown, black, tan, red, white, or blue within one spot
  • Diameter: larger than 6 millimeters, roughly the size of a pencil eraser, though melanoma can be smaller
  • Evolving: any change in size, shape, color, elevation, or new symptoms like itching or bleeding, often considered the most important warning sign
  • Also watch for the "ugly duckling" sign: a mole that looks noticeably different from your other moles, even if it doesn't check every ABCDE box

When Should You See a Doctor?

Don’t wait on a spot that concerns you. See a dermatologist promptly if you notice:
  • Any mole or spot that matches one or more of the ABCDE criteria
  • A new mole appearing after age 30
  • A mole that's changed in size, shape, or color over recent weeks or months
  • A spot that itches, bleeds, or won't heal
  • A personal or family history of melanoma, which warrants annual (or more frequent) professional skin exams

What Happens If Melanoma Is Left Untreated?

Melanoma is unique among skin cancers in how quickly it can progress from a highly curable, localized spot to a life-threatening disease. Untreated melanoma grows deeper into the skin and can spread through the lymphatic system to nearby lymph nodes, and from there to distant organs like the lungs, liver, and brain.

Survival outcomes are directly tied to how early melanoma is caught. Thin, early-stage melanomas removed before they spread have excellent long-term outcomes. Once melanoma reaches the lymph nodes or spreads further, treatment becomes far more involved, often requiring surgery, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy in coordination with an oncologist. This is the clearest example in dermatology of why a spot that seems minor is worth having checked right away rather than waiting to see if it changes.

The Genesis Dermatology Process

Here’s what to expect if you come in for a mole or spot, you’re concerned about:
  • A full dermoscopic evaluation of the spot in question, along with a broader skin check since melanoma risk often runs alongside multiple atypical moles
  • A biopsy, typically excisional when melanoma is suspected, to get a complete picture of the lesion for the pathologist
  • A detailed review of your pathology report, including Breslow depth and other staging factors, once results are in
  • A treatment plan based on stage, which may range from a straightforward surgical excision for early, thin melanomas to sentinel lymph node biopsy and coordinated care with oncology for more advanced cases
  • An ongoing surveillance schedule, since a melanoma diagnosis increases the importance of regular, thorough skin exams going forward

Ready to Take the Next Step?

A changing mole is not something to watch and wait for. Schedule a skin exam with the board-certified dermatologists at Genesis Dermatology in Jupiter, FL, and get the clarity you need as quickly as possible.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the survival rate for melanoma?
Outcomes depend heavily on how early melanoma is caught. Melanoma found before it spreads beyond the skin has a very high survival rate, which is why prompt evaluation of any suspicious mole matters so much. Once melanoma spreads to lymph nodes or distant organs, survival rates drop, underscoring the value of early detection.
UV exposure, including from tanning beds, is the leading risk factor, but melanoma can also develop on skin that’s rarely or never exposed to the sun, including the palms, soles, and under nails. Genetics and family history also play a role.
Yes. Melanoma can develop within a long-standing mole, which is why any change in an existing mole, not just new spots, deserves attention.
Most dermatologists recommend annual skin exams for the general population, but patients with a family history of melanoma or a personal history of atypical moles are often advised to come in every six months, along with monthly self-exams in between.
No. Many melanomas are caught while still confined to the top layers of skin, where they’re highly treatable with surgical excision alone. Staging determines whether the cancer has spread and guides the rest of the treatment plan.
When melanoma is suspected, your dermatologist will typically recommend an excisional biopsy, removing the entire lesion with a small margin of surrounding skin, so the pathologist can accurately assess depth and other key features.