Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsComplicationsSeeing a Healthcare ProviderAt-Home Skin Checks
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Complications
Seeing a Healthcare Provider
At-Home Skin Checks
Nodular melanomais a type of skin cancer. It is the second most common type of melanoma, accounting for 15% of all cases.
This form of skin cancer typically first appears as a bump or raised lesion on the skin. The lesion is typically firm and may be a blackish-blue or bluish-red color.
Learn more about the symptoms of nodular melanoma.
Peter Dazeley/Getty Images
What Are the Symptoms of Nodular Melanoma?
Nodular melanoma often presents as a fast-growing lump that may increase in size over weeks or months.
Frequent Symptoms
The lesions commonly appear on exposed areas of the skin, like the head and neck. But it is possible for nodular melanomas to appear anywhere. The main symptom of nodular melanoma is a lump or skin lesion. These lumps may appear:
Common symptoms of nodular melanoma include:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoNodular Melanoma.https://dermnetnz.org/topics/nodular-melanoma-images/?stage=Live
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
https://dermnetnz.org/topics/nodular-melanoma-images/?stage=Live
Rare Symptoms
In rare cases, nodular melanoma may not have a black or dark coloring.
Nodular melanoma may present as pink, red, purple, or skin-colored. This form of nodular melanoma is called anamelanotic melanoma, a subcategory in which the melanoma lacks dark pigments typically seen in most melanomas.
Due to the lack of pigment typical of other melanomas, amelanotic melanomas, including nodular melanomas that are amelanotic, may be overlooked or mistaken for benign skin conditions.
It is estimated that roughly 5% of melanomas overall are amelanotic.
Unlike other forms of melanoma, nodular melanoma cannot be identified using theABCDE methodof identification. Instead, nodular melanomas are identified through the EFG method, meaning:Efor elevatedFfor firmGfor growing
Unlike other forms of melanoma, nodular melanoma cannot be identified using theABCDE methodof identification. Instead, nodular melanomas are identified through the EFG method, meaning:
Potential Complications of Nodular Melanoma
If undetected and left untreated, the cancer will continue to advance. At its most advanced stage, nodular melanoma, as with other melanomas, may spread to distant lymph nodes and organs like the liver, brain, and lungs.
Cancer that spreads to other parts of the body can cause avariety of symptoms,such as fatigue, nausea, or weight loss.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
It’s important to see a healthcare provider if you notice any changes to your skin that concern you or if you notice any new spots with the following characteristics:
Nodular melanoma is an aggressive cancer, so getting a possible diagnosis as soon as possible will improve the chances of treating it before it spreads.
Symptoms of Nodular Melanoma
How to Do At-Home Skin Checks
The earlier skin cancer is detected, the greater chance of successful treatment. Doing regular skin checks at home can be helpful in detecting skin cancer early. Most healthcare professionals recommend going over your skin once per month.
To prepare for a skin check on yourself at home:
The best time to try an at-home skin check is after a bath or shower. To perform a skin check, follow these steps:
If you see anything worrisome, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider.
If left undetected, nodular melanoma can spread (metastasize) to the lymph nodes and organs in the body like the lungs, liver, and brain. Metastasis can cause a variety of symptoms and can be serious.
If cancer has spread to other parts of the body, treatment is likely to be more successful if the cancer is caught early. If symptoms are not related to cancer, other conditions can be identified and treated.
Summary
Nodular melanoma is a fast-growing and aggressive form of skin cancer. It typically presents as a lump or lesion on the skin that is firm and may or may not be colored. It may not be diagnosed until is it in the advanced stages due to the speed it can grow. As such, at-home skin checks are an important tool in diagnosing and treating skin cancer like nodular melanoma early.
If you perform a skin check and notice something suspicious, or if you have any unusual symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, pain, or unexplained weight loss, make an appointment with a healthcare professional for an exam. A doctor can help you determine if further testing ortreatmentis needed.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Nodular Melanoma.DermNet NZ.Nodular Melanoma.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Amelanotic melanoma.DermNet NZ.ABCDEFG of melanoma.American Cancer Society.Melanoma skin cancer stages.American Cancer Society.If you have melanoma skin cancer.American Cancer Society.How to do a skin self-exam.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of cancer.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Nodular Melanoma.DermNet NZ.Nodular Melanoma.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Amelanotic melanoma.DermNet NZ.ABCDEFG of melanoma.American Cancer Society.Melanoma skin cancer stages.American Cancer Society.If you have melanoma skin cancer.American Cancer Society.How to do a skin self-exam.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of cancer.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Nodular Melanoma.DermNet NZ.Nodular Melanoma.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Amelanotic melanoma.DermNet NZ.ABCDEFG of melanoma.American Cancer Society.Melanoma skin cancer stages.American Cancer Society.If you have melanoma skin cancer.American Cancer Society.How to do a skin self-exam.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of cancer.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Nodular Melanoma.
DermNet NZ.Nodular Melanoma.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Amelanotic melanoma.
DermNet NZ.ABCDEFG of melanoma.
American Cancer Society.Melanoma skin cancer stages.
American Cancer Society.If you have melanoma skin cancer.
American Cancer Society.How to do a skin self-exam.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of cancer.
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