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Home / Melanoma / Melanoma Pictures

Melanoma Pictures: What to Look for

Collection of melanoma pictures. A malignant melanoma may differ from these melanoma images and other melanoma photos you can find online. Determining if a mole is cancerous is not easy.

Medically reviewed by Professor Chris Bunker *


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The most important sign of potential melanoma is a change in the skin’s appearance, such as a change in an existing mole, or, more importantly, the appearance of a new spot. Normal moles don’t typically turn into melanoma with 70% of melanomas arising in normal skin, not moles.

If you have a particular mole or mark on your skin that you are worried about, please seek your doctor’s opinion as soon as possible as melanoma of the skin can differ in appearance from the melanoma pictures presented here. Each melanoma is unique in appearance.

normal moles vs cancerous moles picture
woman using miiskin

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Melanoma Images: How to Try to Spot Melanoma

Below you can see six images of the most common type of melanoma, known as superficial spreading melanoma.

superficial melanoma
superficial melanoma photo
melanoma in situ irregular shape and colour
stage 0 melanoma
spreading melanoma
melanoma in situ

The pictures in this article were licensed from DermNet NZ.

See more images (graphic imagery).

Confoundedly, not all suspect lesions that are later diagnosed as melanoma had the characteristics seen in these melanoma images.

To help we have created a ‘walkthrough’ of the principal differences between common moles and melanomas.

difference between mole and melanoma picture

Melanomas may not always resemble a mole. They may look like the amelanotic (i.e. not brown, grey, bluish or black, but flesh-coloured, pink or red) melanoma shown below.

If you find something that resembles this on your skin, it is very possible it is not a melanoma, but it’s best to get it checked out without delay.

difference between mole and amelanotic melanoma image

See more images (graphic imagery).

Remember the ABCDs

You may have heard about the ABCD of suspicious lesions, which aims to characterise signs of skin cancer. Below, you will find a comparison between normal moles and photos of melanoma based on the ABCD.

A for Asymmetry – The two halves of the mole do not match:

mole vs melanoma differences in asymmetry

B for Border – The border is jagged or rugged:

mole vs melanoma differences in border

C for Colour – There are multiple colours or it changes in colour:

mole vs melanoma differences in colour

D for Diameter – The lesion is larger than a pencil’s width:

mole vs melanoma differences in size

See more images (graphic imagery).

The ABCD criteria are useful. However, if you have a mole that shows one or more of these characteristics it may be what is known as an atypical mole (naevus) which can resemble a melanoma in appearance.

If you have a few moles that fit the ABCD criteria, you should consider mentioning them to your GP, even if you are not worried.

Your GP may then either recommend a course of action or simply reassure you not to worry and keep an eye on them to watch for any changes.  It is worth knowing that e.g in England your GP can refer you as an ‘urgent suspected cancer’ case and you will have to be seen by a Specialist in two weeks.

Atypical Moles

Here are some images of atypical moles. They were examined by a Dermatologist whose opinion was that they should be removed but were later diagnosed under a microscope (histology) to be non-cancerous, i.e. not melanoma.

Atypical moles:

atypical junctional naevus
atypical lentiginous junctional naevus

To find out more about atypical moles and see more images, read our detailed guide on atypical moles.

Ugly Ducklings – Any Spot That Doesn’t Look like the Others

spot don’t look like the others

Here is a photo of an early stage melanoma which visually stood out from the patient’s other moles – it just looked different.

This is known as the ‘Ugly Duckling’ sign, and is an important clue to look out for.

Melanomas Can Appear in Unlikely Places

A person’s common overall melanoma risk factor is influenced by UV exposure during their lifetime. Most melanomas therefore appear in places exposed to sunlight or UV rays from artificial tanning beds. However, this is not always the case.

You should also be aware of symptoms of melanoma under your nails, on the palms of your hands and on the soles of your feet. Remember also to inspect your scalp and back, when checking your skin, as these places are often ignored. Engage a family member, partner or friend to help you.

Read about the different signs and symptoms of melanoma.

Melanoma

lentigo maligna melanoma

Melanoma on foot

melanoma arising on the sole

Something New or Something That Changes or Grows

Melanomas don’t always look like the melanoma pictures shown in this article

You should always consult a doctor if you are in any doubt and build up an awareness of your skin’s usual appearance so you can effectively check for new or changing lesions.

Baseline images of your skin and moles taken and held on a tablet or mobile device can assist you; try to compare your skin with the baseline on a monthly basis and look out for new or changing moles; recruit a family member, partner or friend to help you. Or use the app Miiskin instead.

changing lesion

A growing and changing lesion – for illustrative purposes.

How Can You Tell If a Spot Is Melanoma? See your Doctor

If you are concerned about a mole or mark on your skin and have not had it examined by a doctor, the only safe thing to do is to make a doctor’s appointment and have it checked out.

track your skin with photos

Your doctor may inform you that you should just keep an eye on it and report back if you notice any changes.

In this case, you can ask your doctor whether tracking the lesion and the rest of your skin with photos is something they would recommend.

READ MORE ABOUT:

Melanoma Education

  • Melanoma Symptoms
  • Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics
  • Overview of Melanoma Pictures
  • What is the difference between an atypical mole and melanoma?

Mobile Apps
& Health

  • What is Mole Mapping?
  • 6 Innovative Dermatology Apps
  • What is Skin Mapping?
  • Should Mobile Apps Be Used to Detect Skin Cancer?

Checking for Changes

There’s no time like the present to start performing a regular skin check to look out for suspicious changes to your skin and moles.

Track Your Skin and Atypical Moles with an App

You may consider using the Miiskin photo App to help keep track of changes to your skin and moles. But remember, if in doubt about anything on your skin – see your doctor.

Read more about the Miiskin App

For a walk-through of non-melanoma skin cancers, view skin cancer pictures by type.

Melanoma ribbon * Prof. Bunkers fee for this review has been donated to the British Skin Foundation (BSF), a charity committed to research into skin research including skin cancer.

Early signs of melanoma This page is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace a medical opinion.

Melanoma skin cancer risk Please note, some melanomas may look nothing like these pictures. You should see your doctor if you are concerned about anything on your skin.

Skin cancer overview It is also a good idea to talk to your doctor about your risk of skin cancer and get personal advice on the early detection of changes.

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Read More:

Melanoma ribbon What does skin cancer look like?

Signs on skin to look after What signs on my skin should I be aware of?

Smartphone app Can a smartphone app diagnose me for skin cancer?

Early signs of melanoma What are the early signs of melanoma?

Skin cancer overview Skin cancer – general overview

What can melanoma look like What can melanoma look like?

Benign mole look What does a normal benign mole look like?

Melanoma skin cancer risk What is basal cell carcinoma and how does it look like?

Skin Cancer Prevention Tips

  • Check Your Skin
  • How to Use a Mobile App to Track Changes in Your Skin?

Compare mole images over time

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