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Nodular Melanoma

Forums Cutaneous Melanoma Community Nodular Melanoma

  • Post
    matthew111
    Participant

    Are nodular melanomas raised or are they flat?

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  • Replies
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      A nodule is a raised growth. So nodular melanoma would be raised up, not flat like superficial spreading melanoma which is the most common form.

        matthew111
        Participant

        How raised does a mole have to be to be nodular melanoma?

        jennunicorn
        Participant
        If you’re trying to figure out if you have melanoma, I don’t think it really matters what kind, just get it checked out. If you’be been diagnosed but wondering if yours was nodular, I’d ask your derm their opinion. Mine was flat in the beginning and one side started to raise up and looked like a scab but wasn’t considered nodular melanoma.
      GeoTony
      Participant

      Just to be different I had a superficial spreading melanoma which I didn't pick up until the raised nodular melanoma in the middle appeared

      Jeff_in_FL
      Participant

      Mine started out as a small, flat, black dot. I actually thought it was from a permanent marker. This was around Christmas. By March, it was domed, perfectly round, and 8mm (about 1/4") across. Absolutely no doubt that this wasn't normal. Nodular Melanoma. 

        matthew111
        Participant

        Jeff how raised would you say your mole was?

        Jeff_in_FL
        Participant

        I would say it was "slightly" raised …just kind of a dome. I think I would have actually gone to have it looked at if it had been more raised than it was. That's the dangerous thing about this type of Melanoma; doesn't usually become overly raised, and not too large in diameter. It grows down instead. Anyway, that's what I was told.

        matthew111
        Participant

        How many millimeters would you say your mole was across when it first started?

        Jeff_in_FL
        Participant

        It was non-existent, and grew over time. If you took a permanent marker (Sharpie), and put a dot on your skin, that is what it looked like when I first noticed it. I remember thinking, "I don't remember that tiny black mole being there before", but it grew from that to 8 mm (a little over 1/4") in diameter in less than three months. Definitely noticed that!

        matthew111
        Participant

        If I have a black mole that has not grown in size in 3 months does that mean it is not melanoma?

        jennunicorn
        Participant

        The only way to know if something is melanoma is through a biopsy. Looks alone don't diagnose. If this mole has caused these questions in your mind, then it's time to see a dermatologist and have a professional take a look.

      AliCat61
      Participant

      Hub's melanoma was a very slightly raised red bumpy area spreading across his face, Honestly, it looked like nothing more than irritated skin. But it was new and different. First time we asked primary care doc about it, he blew us off. The following year I put my foot down and insisted on biospy. It was nevoid malignant melanoma, nodular. Get it checked, please.

      Zay95
      Participant
      Any new pigment/growth in the skin should be checked to rule out melanoma. I’ve had new black raised mole appeared and really freaked out that it might be nodular melanoma, but it was completely benign. In most cases they are benign but defentliley anything new should be checked.
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