Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. The major cause is the exposure to the UV rays. Melanoma can be treated if it is detected early. Following are the melanoma cancer symptoms:

1. Any change in size, shape, or colour of a mole or any other skin growth like birthmark. The American cancer society ABCD rule could be used, which means
A for asymmetry: Half of the mole or any growth does not match the other half.
B for border irregularity: The edges will appear ragged, notched or blurred.
C is for colour: There is no uniformity in pigmentation. There are shades of black, brown and tan.
D is for diameter: The skin growth or the mole might be larger than 6mm.

Symptoms of Melanoma cancer in an existing mole are:

1. A previously flat mole might seem to be raised or elevated and thickened.
2. Surface might look scaly, eroded and might ooze, bleed or become a crust.
3. Skin of the surrounding area might look red, swollen, or small patches might form around a large lesion.
4. Itching, burning and tingling sensations might be felt.

Melanoma can develop anywhere on the body. It specially develops on the upper back of men and women and on the legs of women and unmarked skin. It can also develop on the soles, palms, nail beds and mucous membranes that line body cavities of the mouth, rectum and the vagina.

Melanoma cancer symptoms that can be seen later are:

1. There might be a break in the skin and a mole or a lesion might bleed.
2. Pain in a mole or lesion might occur.

Melanoma cancer symptoms after metastasizing may include:
1. Lymph nodes especially in the armpit or groin might be swollen.
2. A colorless and thick lump may develop under the skin.
3. Loss of weight all of a sudden.
4. Graying of skin.
5. Chronic cough.
6. Headaches and seizures.

Types of Melanoma

Intraocular Melanoma: Melanoma of the eye is called as Intraocular Melanoma. This is a rare disease in which cancer cells are found in the part of the eye. Intraocular Melanoma might occur in the different parts of the eye like, iris, ciliary body and the choroid. Following are the melanoma cancer symptoms of the eye:
1. The pupil might get distorted due to the cancer.
2. Vision might become blurred.
3. Visual acuity might get decreased.

Superficial spreading melanoma: This is most commonly found on the legs of women and on the trunk in men and women. It is a flat and slightly elevated brown colored lesion. It is normally greater than 6mm in diameter. The borders are irregular and asymmetric.
Nodular Melanoma: This is the most serious and life threatening type of skin cancer. This type of cancer is normally found on the arms, legs and upper torso. There is a development of bump-like feature which looks black, or blue, white, tan, brown or red.
Lentigo Maligna Melanoma: This type of cancer is often found on the face of the older people. The melanoma cancer symptom includes growth which is slow and develops over many years. It may also be found on the head, neck and arms.
Acral Melanoma: This is usually found on the palms, soles or around the toenails. This type of cancer is normally found in dark- skinned individuals.
Amelanotic Melanoma: This type of melanoma is usually non- pigmented and appears to be pink or flesh colored.
Mucosal Melanoma: These melanomas are rarely found. This occurs in the mucosal tissue which lines the cavity of the body and the hollow organs. They are mostly located in the head and neck region including nasal cavity, mouth and esophagus. It might also occur in the rectum, vagina and the urinary tract.
Conjunctival Melanoma: These are dark areas on the conjunctiva which develops from the nevus.