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Malignant Melanoma
Malignant melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. Early detection allows nearly 100% cure, while advanced disease can be life-threatening. Legacy Dermatology combines expert evaluation, precise removal, and monitoring to protect your health, appearance, and long-term skin safety.

Malignant Melanoma: The Most Serious Skin Cancer

Melanoma originates in pigment-producing melanocytes and can appear anywhere on the skin, including normally unexposed areas. Rapidly increasing in incidence, it demands careful evaluation. Early, thin melanomas are highly curable, while invasive tumors can spread to lymph nodes and organs, making timely diagnosis critical.
Legacy Dermatology offers expert assessment, advanced imaging, and individualized management plans to optimize outcomes and minimize risk. Patients benefit from evidence-based approaches, precision removal, and lifelong surveillance, ensuring both safety and confidence in care.

Early vs. Advanced Melanoma: In Situ and Invasive Forms

“In situ” melanomas remain confined to the top skin layer and are highly curable. Invasive melanomas penetrate deeper layers and may metastasize, requiring comprehensive treatment. Early identification dramatically improves prognosis and long-term survival.
  • Superficial Spreading Melanoma: Most common, spreads along skin surface before deeper invasion.
  • Lentigo Maligna Melanoma: Often occurs on sun-damaged skin in elderly, slowly invasive.
  • Acral Lentiginous Melanoma: Appears on palms, soles, or nails, common in darker-skinned individuals.
  • Nodular Melanoma: Rapidly invasive from onset, aggressive and often life-threatening.
Don’t feel the burn!

YOUR RISK

of developing melanoma

DOUBLES

with a history of 5 or more sunburns.

Early detection makes a difference

99% 5-year survival rate for patients in the U.S. whose melanoma is detected early. The survival rate drops to 74% if the disease reaches the lymph nodes and 35% if it spreads to distant organs.
Malignant Melanoma

Recognizing Warning Signs: Spotting Melanoma Before It Spreads

Melanoma may present as a new or changing mole with irregular borders, varied colors, or rapid enlargement. Look for asymmetry, uneven pigmentation, diameter greater than 6mm, or crusting, bleeding, or itching. Early recognition is critical. Legacy Dermatology educates patients to monitor skin from head to toe and report changes promptly. Visual guides and clinical assessments help differentiate suspicious lesions from benign moles, ensuring timely evaluation and intervention.
A is for Asymmetry
B is for Border
C is for Color
D is for Diameter or Dark
Melanoma that looks like an odd-shaped mole
Melanoma that looks like a sore
Melanoma that looks like a firm, raised growth
Melanoma that looks like an age spot
TYPES OF SKIN CANCER

Early Detection and Biopsy: Confirming Malignant Melanoma

A dermatologist evaluates suspicious lesions through thorough examination and dermoscopy. Biopsy confirms malignancy, determines depth, and guides treatment decisions. Accurate early diagnosis enables curative interventions with minimal tissue removal and optimal cosmetic outcomes.
Patients gain confidence through structured assessment, timely intervention, and expert guidance for ongoing surveillance.
Early Detection & Biopsy

We use expert evaluation and biopsy to confirm melanoma early, enabling curative treatment with minimal tissue removal and better cosmetic results.

OTHER SKIN GROWTHS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

Advanced Treatment Options: Surgical Excision, Mohs, and Targeted Care

Surgical excision removes melanoma completely, preserving surrounding tissue.
Mohs surgery is precise for high-risk or recurrent lesions. Targeted therapies may supplement surgery for invasive or metastatic disease.
  • Layered Precision Removal
  • Tissue-Sparing Techniques
  • Recurrence Prevention Strategy
  • Patient-Centric Individualized Car
RECOGNIZING SKIN CANCER

Legacy Dermatology: Your Trusted Experts in Advanced Melanoma Care

Our board-certified dermatologists combine experience, advanced diagnostics, and surgical precision to manage melanoma at every stage.
Patients benefit from personalized treatment plans, continuous monitoring, and proactive prevention strategies. Legacy Dermatology empowers individuals with knowledge, early detection tools, and comprehensive care, safeguarding long-term skin health while maximizing aesthetic and functional outcomes.
Your safety, confidence, and peace of mind guide every step of your melanoma journey. Our board-certified dermatologists use advanced diagnostics and precision treatment to manage melanoma at every stage.
Patients receive personalized plans, ongoing monitoring, and preventive strategies. Legacy Dermatology empowers you with early detection tools and comprehensive care to protect long-term skin health.

Talk Directly With Our Skin & Cancer Specialists

Connect with our board-certified dermatologists for expert guidance, personalized solutions, and proactive care to protect your skin’s health and confidence today.
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Most Popular Questions

Deep, expert answers addressing risks, detection, treatment, and long-term protection for informed, confident patient decisions.
Melanomas may appear asymmetrical, with irregular borders, uneven color, or rapid growth. Our team uses imaging and education to detect changes early and protect health.

Malignant melanoma arises from melanocytes, pigment-producing skin cells. If untreated, it can invade deep layers, metastasize to lymph nodes or organs, and become rapidly life-threatening. Early detection ensures nearly 100% curability and preserves appearance, health, and long-term skin safety.

Fair-skinned individuals with numerous moles, family history of melanoma, chronic sun exposure, or immunosuppression have significantly increased risk. Dark-skinned patients may develop acral lentiginous melanoma in palms, soles, or nails.

In situ melanomas remain confined to the epidermis and are highly curable. Invasive melanomas penetrate deeper layers and may spread systemically, requiring comprehensive surgical or targeted interventions for survival.

Early recognition dramatically improves prognosis. Thin melanomas are nearly 100% curable. Legacy Dermatology combines dermoscopy, full-body skin exams, and mole mapping for precise, timely identification.

Patients undergo structured lifelong monitoring, including regular skin exams, imaging, and patient education, minimizing recurrence risk and detecting new lesions before progression.

Through tissue-sparing surgery, precision excision, and reconstructive planning, our dermatologists maintain natural appearance and function while achieving curative treatment.

Mohs surgery is ideal for recurrent, high-risk, or cosmetically sensitive areas. It allows layer-by-layer removal while preserving healthy tissue and ensuring complete cancer clearance.

Yes, melanomas may appear anywhere, including soles, palms, scalp, or mucous membranes. Dark-skinned individuals are more likely to develop acral lentiginous melanoma in these locations.

Targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and adjuvant treatments may supplement surgery for metastatic or invasive disease, tailored to tumor genetics and patient-specific risk factors.

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