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Symptoms of Malignant melanoma

The signs of malignant change in a mole are very important to know. They are:

• a change in shape, especially an increasingly irregular outline,
• a change in size,
• increased projection above the surface of the skin,
• a change in colour,
• especially sudden darkening and the development of colour irregularities appearing as different shades of brown, grey, pink, red or blue,
• itching or pain,
• softening,
• crumbling,
• the development of new moles around the original one, and
• the development of a light or dark halo or ring around the mole.

Report any of these changes to your doctor as a matter of urgency.

In white people, malignant melanomas occur most often on the upper part of the back in both men and women. In women, it is also equally common on the legs between the ankle and the knee. Melanomas are very rare in black people, but when they do occur they are usually on the palms and soles and behind the nails on the fingers and toes.

• Macular degenerationMagnesium testMalariaMale contraceptive pillMalignant melanomaMalnutritionMarfan syndromeMastectomyMastitisMénière’s diseaseMeaslesMeningitisMenopauseMental healthMental health servicesMental health specialist servicesMicroalbumin testMigraineMiscarriageMMRMobile phone safetyMolesMolluscum contagiosumMorning sicknessMotor neurone diseaseMouth ulcerMRI scanMRSAMucositisMultiple myelomaMultiple sclerosisMumpsMunchausen’s syndromeMuscular dystrophyMyasthenia gravis

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