Does Increase In Size Of A Freckle Suggest Melanoma?

Posted on Sun, 1 May 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 1 May 2016 Answered on

Fri, 17 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : WOuld a person notice rapid change if a mark had turned into melanoma? SUperficial spreading? I have a mark on my arm since the 1950s that I remembered over two weeks ago. IM not even sure if it ever changed in fact, but now I'm watching it too much and am nervous. I don't know how to send a photo....its like a large freckle probably approx 8 mm long x 6 mm. NO itching, bleeding, perfectly flat. I just want to know if it would be noticibly changing

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You should look out for some characteristics

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

obviously I can't say whether your mole is changing because I haven't seen an old picture and a new one to compare. Only you can tell...

I'll tell you the most important characteristics that raise suspicion of malignancy (melanoma) in a "mole". Irregular shape, irregular borders (scalloped, undefined/blurred), big diameter (more than 6mm), particularly if it's enlarging over time, irregular color (more than 1 color or different shades in a mole), new symptoms like a bleeding mole.

Any of the aforementioned characteristics make a visit to the dermatologist urgent. Since your mole is large enough and you can't be sure whether it grew lately or not, you'd better visit the dermatologist anyway. Do not apply anything on it...

I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar