Does a Bleeding Mole Always Mean Cancer?
“While a bleeding mole is something that should be evaluated, this is not always cancer and usually just is an irritated mole, especially if it was in the way of scratching,” says Dr. Joel Schlessinger, [...]
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 [...]