Some melanoma mimickers are other forms of cancer, but most are benign.
Many people will present to a doctor with what they fear is melanoma, when in fact, it turns out to be a benign condition.
But remember this: Many people who are diagnosed with melanoma had put off seeing a doctor, convinced that their “mole” or “pimple” was nothing to worry about.
It’s better to be overreactive to something you discover on your skin than to be underreactive.
Conditions that Mimic Melanoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma
BCC typically is a pearly white, flesh or pinkish color, but it may present dark if scabbed over.
Epidermolysis Bullosa Nevus
Exogenous Pigmentation
This means a spot on the skin from an external source. The image below very much resembles melanoma, but it’s actually a stain from black walnuts.
Hemorrhage
This term refers to a very tiny round scab, which can mimic melanoma if located on one’s back — preventing one from inspecting it up close.
When on an easy to inspect area such as the forearm, these do look like the scabs they are. They can remain for a few weeks or more before falling off.
Melanosis
Too graphic to post an image, but it’s a brown/black lesion that can affect the eye.
Onychocytic Matricoma
Pigmented Extramammary Paget Disease
Pigmented Fungiform Papillae of the Tongue (mimics oral melanoma)
Too graphic to post.
Pigmented Lichen Planus-like Keratosis
Pimple (can resemble nodular melanoma)
Reticulated Acanthoma with Sebaceous Differentiation
Seborrheic Keratosis
Dirty Mole
Debris can become trapped in the grooves or crevasses of a mole, creating a “new black spot” in it, which can look like melanoma.
11 More Conditions that May Resemble Melanoma
Here are an additional 11 conditions that can look like melanoma to the naked eye, according to Tejas Patel, MD, a board certified dermatologist with Reforma Dermatology in NYC.
Common Mole
cancer.gov
Atypical Mole
cancer.gov
Blue Mole
Dannii Brighton, CC
Lentigo
Shutterstock/Dermatology11
Spitz Nevus (Mole)
Rev Dermatol 2009
Pigmented Actinic Keratosis
Krizu,CC BY-SA
Pygogenic Granuloma
Kilbad at English Wikipedia / CC BY
Angioma
Shutterstock/dba87
Dermatofibroma
Mohammad2018 CC BY-SA
Keratoacanthoma
Shutterstock/Dermatology11
Irritated Mole
A mole traumatized by being scratched or rubbed on by clothing may develop a reddish tinge or even bleed.
