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Melanomas are not usually painful. The first sign of melanoma is often a change in the size, shape, color, or feel of an existing mole. Melanomas also may appear as a new, black, or abnormal mole. Symptoms result from the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells. It's important to remember that most people have moles, and almost all moles are benign.
The following are signs that a mole may be a melanoma:
Asymmetry The shape of one half does not match the shape of the other half.
An Asymmetrical Mole
2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.
Ragged edges The edges are ragged, notched, blurred, or irregular, and the pigment may spread into surrounding skin.
A Mole with Ragged Edges
2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.
Color variation The color is uneven with shades of black, brown, or tan, and possibly even white, gray, pink, red, or blue.
A Mole with Color Variation
2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.
Change in size The mole changes in size, usually growing larger. Melanomas are usually larger than the eraser of a pencil (5 mm or 1/4 in).
