Nodular melanoma is a fast-growing, aggressive form of skin cancer that can grow into the deeper layers of the skin quickly if not removed.
It is the second most common kind of melanoma. Even so, nodular melanoma makes up just 14% of all melanomas. However, this type of melanoma is responsible for more than 40% of melanoma deaths.This is due to how fast it can grow.
Learn more about nodular melanoma, causes, symptoms, treatments, and prognosis.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
Nodular Melanoma Symptoms
Nodular melanoma most commonly appears on exposed areas of skin like the head and neck but may appear anywhere on the skin.
Visually, nodular melanomas appear as small lumps on the skin that grow rapidly over weeks or months.
The lump may be:
Notably, nodular melanomas tend to be fast-changing in shape, color, and size. For instance, bumps may go from round to oblong, or reddish to dark brown over a period of two weeks to a month.
Nodular melanoma also does not meet the ABCDE criteria of warning signs of melanoma. These warning signs include:
The acronym EFG is used to help identify skin changes that may be indicative of nodular melanoma. These include:
Causes
When melanocytes grow out of control, they form tumors.
What triggers the melanocytes to mutate is unknown, but is believed to be due to changes to DNA.
There are several risk factors for developing nodular melanoma. These include:
Diagnosis
Because nodular melanoma tends to grow aggressively, it is important to get this type of skin cancer diagnosed early so treatment can begin as soon as possible.
A doctor may use a number of tests to reach adiagnosis of nodular melanoma.
These include:
Once melanoma has been diagnosed a doctor may order additional tests to check if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. These include:
Treatment
Treatment of nodular melanomais focused on curing cancer, preserving skin appearance, and stopping cancer from returning.
If found early, nodular melanoma can be cured. However, nodular melanoma can grow quickly and is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Treatment will most often involve surgery to remove the melanoma.
During surgery, the nodular melanoma, as well as some surrounding areas of skin will be removed.
If the cancer has spread to other organs in the body, other treatments may be necessary. These include:
Prognosis
Nodular melanoma is a fast-growing, aggressive form of skin cancer and because of this, it may not be diagnosed until the cancer is advanced. This may affect treatment and prognosis. It may also mean the cancer can spread to other parts of the body before it is found.
The 5-year survival rate for all forms of melanoma skin cancer varies based on how far the cancer has spread.
The table below shows the 5-year survival rates for melanoma skin cancer at various stages.
Coping
Receiving a diagnosis of skin cancer can be challenging emotionally as well as physically.
The American Cancer Society offers resources and tips for coping with a cancer diagnosis. These include:
Support groups
Joining a support group may be helpful for people dealing with a skin cancer diagnosis. Groups may meet online or in-person and are an opportunity to interact with others in a similar position.
In a support group you may:
Support groups can be organized based on the type of cancer, treatments, gender, age, or other factors.
To choose the right support group, you may consider:
It may take visiting a few groups to find the best fit.
A Word From Verywell
If you are diagnosed with nodular melanoma, remember that treatment options are available and many people live a long, healthy life after their diagnosis.
Treatment often includes surgery and, if the cancer has spread, may require further treatments like chemotherapy. Don’t hesitate to find a support group or counseling, which may be beneficial in navigating the psychological toll of dealing with a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
10 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.NHS.Overview skin cancer (melanoma).Corneli P, Zalaudek I, Magaton Rizzi G, di Meo N.Improving the early diagnosis of early nodular melanoma: can we do better?.Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2018;18(10):1007-1012. doi:10.1080/14737140.2018.1507822Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Nodular melanoma.Coroiu A, Moran C, Davine JA, et al.Patient-identified early clinical warning signs of nodular melanoma: a qualitative study.BMC Cancer.2021;21(1):371. doi:10.1186/s12885-021-08072-4DermNet NZ.ABCDEFG of melanoma.DermNet NZ.Nodular melanoma.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Melanoma risk factors, causes and prevention.Medline Plus.Melanoma.American Cancer Society.Adjusting to life with cancer.American Cancer Society.Psychosocial support options for people with cancer.
10 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.NHS.Overview skin cancer (melanoma).Corneli P, Zalaudek I, Magaton Rizzi G, di Meo N.Improving the early diagnosis of early nodular melanoma: can we do better?.Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2018;18(10):1007-1012. doi:10.1080/14737140.2018.1507822Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Nodular melanoma.Coroiu A, Moran C, Davine JA, et al.Patient-identified early clinical warning signs of nodular melanoma: a qualitative study.BMC Cancer.2021;21(1):371. doi:10.1186/s12885-021-08072-4DermNet NZ.ABCDEFG of melanoma.DermNet NZ.Nodular melanoma.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Melanoma risk factors, causes and prevention.Medline Plus.Melanoma.American Cancer Society.Adjusting to life with cancer.American Cancer Society.Psychosocial support options for people with 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.
NHS.Overview skin cancer (melanoma).Corneli P, Zalaudek I, Magaton Rizzi G, di Meo N.Improving the early diagnosis of early nodular melanoma: can we do better?.Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2018;18(10):1007-1012. doi:10.1080/14737140.2018.1507822Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Nodular melanoma.Coroiu A, Moran C, Davine JA, et al.Patient-identified early clinical warning signs of nodular melanoma: a qualitative study.BMC Cancer.2021;21(1):371. doi:10.1186/s12885-021-08072-4DermNet NZ.ABCDEFG of melanoma.DermNet NZ.Nodular melanoma.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Melanoma risk factors, causes and prevention.Medline Plus.Melanoma.American Cancer Society.Adjusting to life with cancer.American Cancer Society.Psychosocial support options for people with cancer.
NHS.Overview skin cancer (melanoma).
Corneli P, Zalaudek I, Magaton Rizzi G, di Meo N.Improving the early diagnosis of early nodular melanoma: can we do better?.Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2018;18(10):1007-1012. doi:10.1080/14737140.2018.1507822
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Nodular melanoma.
Coroiu A, Moran C, Davine JA, et al.Patient-identified early clinical warning signs of nodular melanoma: a qualitative study.BMC Cancer.2021;21(1):371. doi:10.1186/s12885-021-08072-4
DermNet NZ.ABCDEFG of melanoma.
DermNet NZ.Nodular melanoma.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Melanoma risk factors, causes and prevention.
Medline Plus.Melanoma.
American Cancer Society.Adjusting to life with cancer.
American Cancer Society.Psychosocial support options for people with cancer.
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