Scabby Dry Mole: Possible Melanoma or Benign?
A dermatologist answers if it’s possible for a scabby dry mole to be normal, or is this most likely a sign of melanoma? “A scabby, dry mole can really be any number of things, including [...]
Black Area on Big Toenail: Melanoma or ??
A black area or streak on the big toenail can have multiple causes, and one of them is melanoma. What are all the things that a black spot or area on the big toenail can [...]
Nodular Melanoma Can Spread in Just Days
A dermatologist says, “Nodular melanoma can spread very quickly; within a matter of days or weeks.” “Melanoma is a very interesting cancer and behaves very differently depending on the age of the person and [...]
Are Moles on Toes High Risk for Melanoma?
Many people assume that a mole on a toe is more likely to become melanoma, or, already is this deadly skin cancer. “Moles on toes (and fingers) can be more concerning but aren't usually melanomas,” [...]
Can a Melanoma on the Face Look Like a Typical Pimple?
“Sometimes, nodular melanoma can resemble a pimple you might find on your face,” says Michael Shapiro, MD, Medical Director and Founder of Vanguard Dermatology in NYC, NY. “Nodular melanoma spots, unlike pimples, will be [...]
Age Spots vs. Melanoma: Appearance Comparison
Age spot Can a melanoma look like an age spot and vice versa? As people get older, their risk of melanoma rises, but they also start developing age spots. Age spots commonly appear [...]
What Does Pus Coming out of a Mole Mean?
This can mean melanoma, but a mole oozing pus can also have a benign cause. “Pus or even infection in a mole is not in itself a sign of melanoma," says Dr. Rebecca Tung, MD, [...]
How Common Is a Flesh Colored Melanoma?
Here’s what a dermatologist has to say about frequency of flesh colored melanoma -- which can go undetected during your self-exams. Melanoma can present as flesh colored. But just how often does this occur? How [...]
Why Is Melanoma Survival Rate Higher for Stage 0 vs. Stage 1?
What’s different in the stage 0 melanoma patient than the stage 1 patient such that 10-year survival rate is higher? The earlier that melanoma is caught (or staged), the higher the survival rate when projected [...]
How Common Is a Blue Melanoma?
Maybe you’ve heard that melanoma can be blue, but how often is this? What is the answer to how common or often is a melanoma blue? “Not common. They are rare, aggressive and often lethal," [...]
Can Stage 1 Melanoma Look Like a Normal Mole?
Learn more about stage 1 melanoma and its appearance. It's a smart question: Can stage 1 melanoma look like a normal (benign) mole? “A stage 1 melanoma can look like a normal or featureless mole [...]
Do ABCDEs Always Apply to Melanoma; Can Cancer Look Normal?
What if a melanoma doesn’t conform to the ABCDE guidelines? Melanoma can pass as a normal mole simply because there’s always a beginning to this disease process. In very early melanoma, the ABCDE guidelines don’t [...]
How Common Is Melanoma Black; Can a Normal Mole Be Black?
A dermatologist discusses how often a mole with melanoma is a black color. I wondered how common is it that a melanoma lesion is black — not dark brown, but true black. And can a [...]
Can a Lentigo Turn into Melanoma?
A lentigo can pass as a mole or birthmark; can it ever become a melanoma? Whether or not a lentigo, which often looks just like a small mole or birth mark, could morph into melanoma, [...]
Does a Blue Mole Mean Possible Melanoma?
A dermatologist weighs in about what a blue mole most likely means and if this can signal melanoma. “Yes, some moles will appear blue in a clinical exam and they are called blue nevus moles,” [...]
When Brown Mole Turns Red: Melanoma or Nothing to Worry About?
Does a brown mole changing to red necessarily mean melanoma? How many times have you read that when a mole changes color, this can be a sign of melanoma and to immediately see a doctor? [...]
Moles & Melanoma Guide to Changes, Colors, Size & More
Every question you can have about moles and melanoma is answered right here, because I was fed up with years of seeing the same generic and vague information about moles and melanoma. My questions were directed [...]
What Those Tiny Red Dots on Your Skin Might Mean
Have you noticed red dots suddenly appearing on your skin? Or maybe a single red dot, and you wonder how long it's been there on your skin? Could melanoma skin cancer first appear as a [...]
