Melanoma is known to be the most serious kind of skin cancer. Melanomas can appear either on the normal skin or develop within moles. There are many different ways in which melanoma can appear. Some of the symptoms and appearance of the condition are as follows:

Normal moles
In general, normal moles have uniform color and are small in size. Their color is in a range of brown, black, and tan shades. Normal moles also consist of a distinct border that separates the mole from the surrounding skin. The shape of these moles is either round or oval and their size doesn’t exceed 6mm or about one-fourth of an inch in diameter, which is the size of a pencil eraser. People are known to have around 10 to 45 moles. Many moles develop by the age of 50 years. If the appearance of moles has become different from the normal standards or has changed recently, some abnormal skin conditions including melanoma can be suspected.

Identifying the abnormal moles that indicate melanoma
The mnemonic of ABCDE is used to identify the abnormal moles that might be associated with the condition of melanoma:

• A – Asymmetry
  The general shape of the mole is supposed to be round or oval. If the mole looks to be of an abnormal shape than it was originally, melanoma can be suspected. If the mole looks like it has two very different looking halves, that could also be a cause to suspect.
• B – Borders
  Normal moles have well-defined borders. However, moles that are building melanoma within them could have notched, scalloped, and irregular borders.
• C – Color
  Normal moles are in one single color through the entire mole. However, moles affected with melanoma are known to have a gradient of colors through the mole. The color distribution through the entire mole would be uneven.
• D – Diameter
  Moles that have recently developed to become larger than 6mm or 1/4th of an inch could very possibly be suspected of melanoma.
• E – Evolving
  Moles that are affected by melanoma would continually change with time. There would be changes in its color and size. The borders of the mole would become blurry and other new symptoms such as bleeding, itchiness, etc. can develop on the site which wasn’t significant earlier.

Prevention of melanoma
Melanomas can also develop in areas that are not accessible easily such as in the eye, under a nail, in the digestive tract, mouth, urinary tract, vagina, etc. While melanoma can occur on any part of the body, it is better to make sure that the parts most exposed to the sun are protected. The best prevention method would be to take care to not be exposed to the sun for long hours. If it is required, using a sunscreen with a high factor of SPF, and using protective clothing is strictly advised.

Treating melanoma
If affected, melanoma treatment can range from surgeries to remove the melanoma in earlier stages to radiation therapy or chemotherapy to reduce the size of the tumor before removal through surgical options. The intensity of the treatment options used increases as the stages advance and thereby, prior care and early diagnosis can be of great help.