Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops from melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. Although melanoma is less common than other skin cancers, it is more aggressive and more likely to spread to other parts of the body if not detected early.

Melanoma most often develops on sun-exposed skin but can occur anywhere on the body, including areas not regularly exposed to sunlight, such as the soles of the feet, palms, nails, and mucous membranes.

At OncoClinic, we support you with appropriate diagnostics, clear explanations, and a personalized care plan tailored to your diagnosis, overall health, and goals.

Signs and symptoms

• A new mole or spot on the skin
• A change in size, shape, or color of an existing mole
• A mole that looks different from others (the “ugly duckling” sign)
• Itching, bleeding, or crusting of a skin lesion
• Other symptoms may include enlarged lymph nodes, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and pain or symptoms related to spread to other organs

The ABCDE rule helps identify suspicious moles:

• A – Asymmetry: One half does not match the other
• B – Border: Irregular, notched, or blurred edges
• C – Color: Uneven color or multiple colors
• D – Diameter: Larger than 6 mm, about the size of a pencil eraser
• E – Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color, or symptoms

Any suspicious skin change should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Risk factors

• Age: Increasing age, although melanoma can occur at any age
• Gender: (Not specified, but typically more common in men)
• Family history: Family history of melanoma
• Personal history: Personal history of melanoma or other skin cancers
• Skin type: Fair skin, light hair, and light eye color
• Mole characteristics: Multiple or atypical moles
• UV exposure: Excessive ultraviolet (UV) exposure, from sunlight or tanning beds
• Sunburn history: History of sunburns, especially during childhood or adolescence
• Immune system: Weakened immune system

Screening

There is no formal population-based screening program for melanoma.

Early detection is strongly encouraged through:

• Regular skin self-examinations
• Clinical skin examinations by a healthcare professional, especially for high-risk individuals

Screening recommendation

People at higher risk may benefit from periodic dermatologic evaluations and total-body skin examinations, with dermoscopy or digital mole monitoring in selected cases.

Diagnosis

Melanoma is diagnosed through skin examination and confirmed with a biopsy.

Diagnostic evaluation typically includes:

• Clinical skin examination
• Skin biopsy, where the entire suspicious lesion or part of it is removed and examined under a microscope
• Pathology assessment, including tumor thickness (Breslow depth), ulceration, and mitotic rate
• If melanoma is confirmed, additional tests may be performed to assess spread

Staging

Staging determines how far the melanoma has spread and helps guide treatment decisions.

Staging evaluation may include:

• Sentinel lymph node biopsy, in selected patients
• Imaging studies (CT, PET/CT, or MRI) for higher-stage disease

Melanoma staging

Melanoma is staged from Stage I to Stage IV:

• Stage I: Thin melanoma confined to the skin
• Stage II: Thicker melanoma still limited to the skin
• Stage III: Spread to nearby lymph nodes or surrounding skin
• Stage IV: Spread to distant organs such as the lungs, liver, brain, or bones

Early-stage melanoma is highly curable, while advanced stages require systemic treatment.

Treatment and procedures

At OncoClinic, melanoma care is delivered through a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach that involves dermatology, oncology, surgery, and pathology.

Surgery: Surgical removal of the melanoma is the main treatment for early-stage disease. When surgery is indicated, procedures are performed at our accredited partner hospitals under the direct coordination and supervision of our medical team, ensuring continuity and quality of care.

Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a cornerstone of treatment for advanced melanoma and works by enhancing the body’s immune response against cancer cells.

Targeted therapy: Used in patients whose tumors have specific genetic mutations, such as BRAF mutations.

Combined treatment strategies: Some patients benefit from a combination of surgery, immunotherapy, and/or targeted therapy.

Palliative and supportive care: Supportive care focuses on symptom control, emotional support, and quality of life at all stages of disease.

References

Melanoma skin cancer overview
American Cancer Society, 2026

Melanoma – patient version
National Cancer Institute (NCI), 2026

NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology: cutaneous melanoma
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), latest version

Melanoma staging: AJCC 8th edition
Gershenwald JE et al. – CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 2017

Targeted agents and immunotherapies in melanoma
Luke JJ et al. – New England Journal of Medicine, 2017