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Q. How to confirm melanoma?

Answered by
Dr. Gaurang Gupta
and medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team.
This is a premium question & answer published on Nov 23, 2016 and last reviewed on: Sep 10, 2019

Hi doctor,

I have a mole on the right side of my face. It is uneven, weirdly colored, has no clear lines and bleed easily if scratched. I have a lot of moles in my scalp but none like this. Could it be melanoma? If it is not then can I just scratch it off? I wish to know your opinion.

#

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your photos (attachment removed to protect patient identity).

As per experience only two skin diseases looks like this. The first one is of course melanoma and the second is seborrheic keratosis.

The main signs and symptoms of melanoma are as follows:

  1. With time the size will get increased.
  2. Color also changes with time.
  3. Margin of lesion also change from round to irregular.
  4. As the melanoma goes deep bleeding also increases.
  5. Singe lesion most of the time.

It is true that white people are more prone to get melanoma, but your site of lesion is not common. In this age melanoma or other skin cancer comes over more photo exposed part of the body like face or hand.

Now, let me explain the signs and symptoms of seborrheic keratosis.

  1. More common over scalp and in older age group.
  2. Does not bleed and little raised (not flat) on skin.
  3. Often found multiple in number.
  4. Not itchy and no specific symptom.

Now, I personally feel your problem goes more towards melanoma or BCC (basal cell carcinoma). You need to go for biopsy. Biopsy would be an ultimate tool to diagnose the disease.

For further information consult a dermatologist online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/dermatologist

Hi doctor,

The mole started to bleed a lot with very little scratching and stopped very soon as well. As seen in the photo, the mole is a little bit whiter in the center than on the edges and this mole in my old photographs used to be much smaller. Is it melanoma?

#

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

  • No, not even the best dermatologist can surely say that it is melanoma or not.
  • Just bleeding is not a way to diagnose. You have to undergo biopsy to rule out. Biopsy is must in this case.

For further information consult a dermatologist online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/dermatologist

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