Does a flat brown spot with flaky edges indicate melanoma?

Question

Hi doctor,

A few days back, a brown spot appeared halfway on my thigh. By the same night, it grew and it was black. In less than 24 hours. Small brown spot turned black and grew in just a few hours. It is flat. I am writing this a week later. The edges are flaky now. It has a slightly rough texture but the edges are peeling in not picking it. Do you think it could be melanoma? I am brown in complexion but had an aunt who died of skin cancer.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The bigger brown patch is cafe-au-lait macule and the small one is probably an atypical nevus (attachment removed to protect patient identity). That is not melanoma clinically to me. Melanoma is very rare at a young age like in your case and obviously very rare in brown skin color. You are doing good that you are doing skin biopsy for tissue diagnosis so that no confusion is left but it is less likely to be melanoma.

Thank you.