Small, but irregular, black and brown pigment is a sign of a melanoma, a serious skin cancer. Any new pigmented, itching, bleeding, or changing moles should be checked by your doctor. This melanoma has a classic blue-black color. Black, multi-colored, asymmetric, or irregularly shaped lesions all need to be checked by a dermatologist or doctor skilled in looking at moles. This image displays a multi-colored (including black) lesion with an irregular shape and scalloped borders typical of melanoma. This image displays a brown, blue-gray, and pink lesion with an irregular border typical of early melanoma. This melanoma started as a flat, irregular dark spot but has developed a raised, crusted area. This image displays a melanoma with a white and pink center, a darker black-brown area, and pink and brown c-shaped tumor on the left side of the lesion. This image displays a round, bleeding melanoma that has a small "satellite" tumor underneath it. This image displays a melanoma with irregular borders surrounded by many other benign growths, which are much smaller and have regular, circular borders. This image displays a darkly pigmented lesion typical of melanoma. This image displays an almost black melanoma found in between the toes. This melanoma has multiple dark colors, an asymmetrical shape, and a very irregular border typical of melanoma. This image displays a lesion with an irregular edge and multiple colors--white, pink, pink-brown, and flecks of blue-black--typical of melanoma. When a melanoma involves the fingernail, the cuticle often has the discoloration as well as the nail plate.
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Melanoma  Information for adults

Picture of Melanoma: Small, but irregular, black and brown pigment is a sign of a melanoma, a serious skin cancer. Any new pigmented, itching, bleeding, or changing moles should be checked by your doctor. Divider line
Small, but irregular, black and brown pigment is a sign of a melanoma, a serious skin cancer. Any new pigmented, itching, bleeding, or changing moles should be checked by your doctor.
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Overview
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United Sates, and it is the sixth most common cause of cancer death in the United States. Melanoma is the least common of the skin cancers (the other types are squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma), but it is the most serious. It can be life threatening if it spreads (metastasizes) to other parts of the body. The frequency of diagnosis of melanoma has been increasing in recent years, faster than any other cancer.

Melanoma starts in the color-producing cells of the skin and may develop in an existing mole or may occur as a new mole. Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to a complete cure, while advanced forms are likely to have a poor outcome. Advanced melanoma can spread to lymph nodes as well as other areas in the body, typically the lungs, liver, and brain.
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Last Modified: 12 Feb 2009
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