How Can An Abnormal Looking Spot Be Confirmed To Be Melanoma?

Posted on Wed, 18 Apr 2018

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

Wed, 18 Apr 2018 Answered on

Thu, 3 Oct 2019 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello, I’ve had this more for years and I’ve never thought much of it until today. Now I’m paranoid that I have melanoma. I’m attaching some photos. I will be contacting my daughter tomorrow. I did just have a physical but she did not do a skin check. All my blood work was normal.

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

It's hard to see from the picture whether the spot is raised, but from the picture it looks like a larger version of the other brown spots/freckles on that arm.

From what I am able to see, it does not seem to have more concerning features such as multiple colors (black, blue, red, white, along with the brown). It looks like it is small (less than 7 mm) which makes melanoma less likely.

Also, you wrote that you have had this from years: if it is not either growing or changing, it is less likely to be melanoma.

So yes, good to have a skin check up. But I don't think, from what I can see, that it looks concerning.

If my description of what I see (that it doesn't have multiple colors and looks like a larger version of the other brown spots on your arm) is not accurate, please send a few close ups of the area, best with good lighting but no flash.

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

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (6 minutes later)

Hello,

Thank you for your input. It is raised but it always has been. I don’t know exactly what has me freaking out. I do suffer from medical anxiety so this behavior is typical fro me. I don’t see other color in it ?? Melanoma is extremely scary. I have attached additional photos

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Looked at the pictures

Detailed Answer:
Hi -

I took a look at the next 4 pictures, thanks for sending them. I can understand being nervous about a mole or other spot. Has it changed in appearance over time or grown in size? Is it itchy?

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

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (3 minutes later)

Hello,

Not that I know of on either- does it look suspicious to you ?

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this

Detailed Answer:
Hi - I saw you posted 3 more pictures. The last one is the clearest, and no, it really does not look suspicious of melanoma.

Given that it hasn't changed, evolved, or grown (and sometimes itchiness is a sign that it is changing), I don't think you are dealing with melanoma. Still, always best to get skin checked in person, but I think you can rest assured there is no urgency given the history (not growing or changing) and appearance.

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