Melanoma Treatments in Florida: Symptoms, Pictures, Stages, and Treatment

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, developing in the melanin-producing cells (melanocytes). It can spread quickly if left untreated, but it is highly treatable when detected early. That’s why it’s important to know the first signs and symptoms of melanoma and to see a dermatologist right away if you have concerns. 

At Suncoast Skin Solutions, board-certified dermatologists diagnose and treat all stages of melanoma. Read on to learn the early signs of melanoma and understand melanoma risk factors, and get in touch to schedule a skin cancer screening at one of our 40+ Florida locations. 

What is Melanoma?

Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, develops in the cells that produce melanin (melanocytes). Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin its color.

Unlike the more common and typically less aggressive basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma is more likely to grow quickly and spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. While it most often forms on the skin, melanoma can also develop in other areas of the body. 

The exact cause isn’t clear, but exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight or tanning lamps and beds increases your risk of developing melanoma. Other factors, such as your genetic makeup, likely also play a role.

Limiting your sun exposure and avoiding tanning lamps and beds can help reduce your risk, and knowing the warning signs of skin cancer can help ensure that cancerous changes are detected and treated before cancer has a chance to spread. 

Melanoma is highly treatable when detected early. Our skin specialists provide full screenings and a complete range of treatment options at clinics across Florida. 

What Does Melanoma Look Like? Symptoms and Warning Signs

Recognizing melanoma symptoms early may improve treatment outcomes. Early signs of melanoma often include a new spot on the skin or changes to an existing mole, such as changes in size, shape, color, or texture. Reviewing melanoma pictures can help you understand what to look for, but any suspicious or changing lesion should be evaluated by a dermatologist. 

The ABCDEs of Melanoma

Melanoma symptoms can be caused by prolonged sun exposure, tanning bed use, or may appear out of nowhere. Characteristics of unusual moles that may indicate melanomas or other skin cancers follow the A-B-C-D-E guide developed by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD):

A is for Asymmetry. Look for moles with irregular shapes, such as two very different-looking halves

B is for Borders. Look for moles with irregular, notched, or scalloped borders; these may be characteristics of melanomas

C is for Color. Look for growths that have many colors or an uneven distribution of color

D is for Diameter. Look for new growth in a mole larger than about 1/4 inch (6 millimeters)

E is for Evolving. Look for changes over time, such as a mole that grows in size or that changes color or shape. Moles may also evolve to develop new signs and symptoms, such as new itchiness or bleeding

Other suspicious changes in a mole may include scaly skin, itching, spreading of pigment from the mole into the surrounding skin, oozing, or bleeding. 

Cancerous (malignant) moles vary greatly in appearance. Some may show all of the changes listed above, while others may have only one or two unusual characteristics.  At our skin clinic in Florida, specialists are trained to check for a full range of melanoma signs and symptoms. 

What a Normal Mole Looks Like vs. Melanoma

Normal moles are generally a uniform color, such as tan, brown, or black, with a distinct border separating the mole from your surrounding skin. They’re oval or round and usually smaller than 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) in diameter (the size of a pencil eraser).

Most people have between 10 and 40 moles. Many of these develop by age 40, although moles may change in appearance over time. Some may even disappear with age.

Hidden Melanomas

Melanomas can also develop in areas of your body that have little or no sun exposure, such as the spaces between your toes and on your palms, soles, scalp, or genitals. These are sometimes referred to as hidden melanomas, because they occur in places most people wouldn’t think to check. 

Examples of hidden melanomas include:

• Melanoma under a nail (subungual melanoma): A rare form that develops beneath a fingernail or toenail, often appearing as a brown or black streak or discoloration. It is more common in people with darker skin tones and is frequently mistaken for a bruise.
• Melanoma in the mouth, digestive tract, urinary tract, or vagina (mucosal melanoma): This uncommon type develops in the mucous membranes lining these areas and can be difficult to detect because its symptoms often resemble those of more common conditions. Depending on the location, symptoms may include itching, bleeding, pain, or difficulty swallowing.
• Melanoma in the eye (ocular melanoma): This type forms in the uvea, the layer beneath the white of the eye, and may cause vision changes. In some cases, it is discovered during a routine eye exam before symptoms develop.
• Amelanotic melanoma: Unlike most forms, amelanotic melanoma lacks the melanin that typically makes skin cancers easier to spot. It often appears pink, red, flesh-colored, or nearly clear, and may resemble a scar, pimple, eczema patch, or other benign skin condition, making it more likely to be overlooked. 

Types of Melanoma

There are several types of melanoma, each with its own growth pattern, appearance, and risk factors. Understanding the different forms can help you recognize potential warning signs and seek treatment as early as possible.

Superficial Spreading Melanoma

Superficial spreading melanoma is the most common type of melanoma. It often begins as a flat or slightly raised spot with irregular borders and varying shades of brown, black, or other colors. This type typically grows across the skin’s surface before penetrating deeper layers.

Nodular Melanoma

Nodular melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms because it tends to invade the skin more quickly than other types. It often appears as a raised bump that is black, blue-black, red, pink, or skin-colored, and may bleed or ulcerate as it grows.

Lentigo Maligna Melanoma

Lentigo maligna melanoma most commonly develops in older adults on areas with significant sun exposure, such as the face, ears, neck, and arms. It usually begins as a large, flat, tan-to-dark-brown patch that slowly enlarges over many years before becoming invasive.

Acral Lentiginous Melanoma

This is a rare type of melanoma that occurs on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or beneath the nails. It is the most common subtype among people with darker skin tones and is not strongly linked to sun exposure. Because it develops in less visible areas, it may go unnoticed until an advanced stage.

Melanoma In Situ 

Melanoma in situ is the earliest stage of melanoma (Stage 0). At this stage, cancerous cells are confined to the epidermis, the skin’s outermost layer, and have not spread deeper into the skin. With prompt treatment, melanoma in situ is highly curable and has an excellent prognosis.

Stages of Melanoma

• Stage 0 (in situ): Cancer is confined to the top layer of skin and has not spread. Prognosis is excellent when treated early.
• Stage I–II (localized): Stages 1 and 2 are both still limited to the skin but may be thicker or higher-risk. Treatment is often successful, especially when started early.
• Stage III (regional): Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or surrounding skin. Prognosis is more serious, but treatment can still be effective.
• Stage IV (distant spread): Melanoma has spread to distant organs. This is the most advanced stage and requires more complex treatment.

Early-stage melanoma has a very high treatment success rate, so regular skin checks and early screening are incredibly important. To assign a stage, your provider will:

• Determine thickness: Melanoma thickness is measured under a microscope and helps guide treatment decisions. In general, the thicker the tumor, the more serious the cancer.
• Determine spread: To check if melanoma has spread to nearby lymph nodes, a procedure called a sentinel node biopsy may be used. A dye is injected near the original site to identify the first lymph nodes it travels to, which are then removed and tested. If these sentinel nodes are cancer-free, it’s less likely that the melanoma has spread beyond its original location.

What Causes Melanoma? Risk Factors

Melanoma develops when something goes wrong in the melanin-producing cells (melanocytes) that give skin its color. Normally, skin cells grow in a controlled cycle, with new cells pushing older ones to the surface where they die and are shed. When DNA damage occurs, this process can break down, allowing cells to grow uncontrollably and form a cancerous mass. 

The exact cause of this DNA damage isn’t fully understood, but it likely results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Risk factors include:

• Fair skin: Less melanin means less natural protection from UV radiation. People with blond or red hair, light eyes, and skin that freckles or burns easily have a higher risk of melanoma, though it can still develop in people with darker skin tones, including Hispanic and Black individuals.
• History of sunburn: One or more severe, blistering sunburns during childhood or adolescence can increase risk later in life.
• Excess UV exposure: UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds is a major risk factor for skin cancer, including melanoma.
• Higher UV environments: Living closer to the equator or at higher elevations increases UV exposure due to stronger or more direct sunlight. Florida’s latitude and consistently high UV index contribute to a greater cumulative risk of sun exposure for residents over time.
• Many or unusual moles: Having more than 50 moles, or dysplastic nevi (larger, irregular moles with mixed colors and uneven borders), raises melanoma risk.
• Family history: Having a close relative with melanoma increases your likelihood of developing it.
• Weakened immune system: Conditions like HIV/AIDS or immunosuppressive medications after organ transplants increase skin cancer risk.

How Melanoma is Diagnosed

A routine skin cancer screening is one of the best ways to catch melanoma in its earliest stages. Depending on your individual risk factors and skin cancer prevention practices, your clinician may recommend:

• Professional skin exams: The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends periodic skin checks as part of routine medical care. During these exams, a provider performs a head-to-toe inspection to look for suspicious moles or skin changes.
• At-home skin exams: The ACS and AAD recommend regular self-exams to help you become familiar with your skin and notice changes early. Using a full-length mirror and a hand mirror, check your entire body for any new or changing growths. Be sure to include the arms, legs, scalp, nails, groin, soles of the feet, and the spaces between the toes. For more guidance, head to [How to Check Your Skin for Skin Cancer]. 
• Diagnosing melanoma: While some skin cancers can be suspected by visual exam, melanoma can only be confirmed with a biopsy. In this procedure, all or part of a suspicious lesion is removed and examined under a microscope by a pathologist.

Melanoma Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer, as well as factors like your overall health and personal preferences. Melanoma is staged from 0 to IV, with earlier stages typically responding best to treatment.

Early-stage (Stage 0–II)

In most cases, melanoma is treated with an in-office surgical excision to remove the cancer and a small margin of healthy skin. In some situations, a biopsy may be required to remove the entire tumor. When caught early, melanoma is often curable with surgery alone. 

Advanced (Stage III–IV)

If melanoma has spread beyond the skin, treatment may include lymph node surgery, immunotherapy (biologic therapy), chemotherapy, and radiation therapy to help control or destroy cancer cells throughout the body.

In some cases, surgical approaches such as Mohs Surgery may be used to remove cancer while preserving healthy tissue. At Suncoast Skin Solutions, surgical dermatology care led by Dr. Christopher Ewanowski is available in-house for comprehensive treatment.

Because outcomes are strongly linked to early detection, prompt evaluation of any suspicious or changing skin lesion is essential. If you’re concerned about a spot on your skin, schedule a skin cancer screening.