Edit Identifying Skin Cancer

<p>They should be taken as an indication, not conclusive evidence.</p> <p>If you do suspect something, arrange a consultation with your doctor or dermatologist to ensure it’s nothing serious.</p> <p>Below, we have described the symptoms of the 5 different types of melanoma:</p> <p><strong>Amelanotic Melanoma</strong><br />Known for being extremely difficult to spot, amelanotic malignant melanomas are characterised by their pink or colourless appearance. These types of melanoma are often confused with eczema due to their aesthetic similarities. Careful examination is required for an accurate diagnosis. Regular <a href="/conditions/Moles-Warts-Skin-Tags/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mole check-ups</a> will help identify them before they develop further.</p> <p><strong>Acral Lentiginous Melanoma</strong><br />This is a rare melanoma and predominantly affects patients of African and Asian origin. Its appearance can be characterised by a flat mark composed of different shades of brown and black. This melanoma is commonly found on the feet, palms of hands and underneath fingernails.</p> <p>It can be particularly difficult to spot because it can look like a regular mole. It's highly unlikely that a person without a background in dermatology will be able to correctly identify this type of melanoma, so it’s strongly advised to visit a dermatologist to confirm its appearance.</p> <p><strong>Lentigo Maligna Melanoma</strong><br />Another rare type of melanoma makes up only 10% of the skin cancer cases in the UK. While they are easier to identify in contrast to acral lentiginous and amelanotic melanoma, they take time to develop, so it remains tough to spot them during early development. This type of melanoma is found in elderly people, particularly those who have spent long periods of their life in the sun, without adequate <a href="/treatment/sunscreen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sun protection</a>.</p> <p>They are characterised by their brown, flat appearance and are usually over 1cm in diameter. Removal at this stage has an excellent prognosis. However, the longer it is left untreated, the worse the prognosis becomes.</p> <p><strong>Nodular Melanoma</strong><br />Nodular melanoma skin cancers are known for developing quickly and growing downwards into your skin. It is here where they form nodules, which if left untreated can lead to a poor prognosis. It can develop over a couple of months, starting at a size of roughly 1-2mm and growing to around 5-10mm. This type of melanoma is responsible for 20% of all cases in the UK and can be characterised by their dark brown or black colour and they can bleed and become ulcerated in some cases.</p> <p><strong>Superficial Spreading Melanoma</strong><br />This is thought to be one of the most common types of melanoma, making up almost 70% of skin cancer cases. This type of melanoma is often found on the head, neck and torso and can be identified by its irregular shape, brown/black colour and size of around 6mm. In some cases, this type of skin cancer can be ulcerated and bleed. Although it is slightly easier to spot than other skin cancers, it usually takes around 6-18 months to develop before the patient becomes aware of it.</p> <p>Additionally, they tend to grow outwards, rather than downwards. While outward-growing melanomas are typically less aggressive than downward-growing, they still need to be checked to ensure they do not end up growing down into the skin. This is where they can become dangerous.</p>

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