Cancer Skin Cancer Symptoms Symptoms of Nodular Melanoma By Elizabeth Pratt Elizabeth Pratt Elizabeth Pratt is a medical journalist based in Australia. She has a Master's degree in Health Communication and a Bachelor's degree in journalism. Learn about our editorial process Published on October 12, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by William Truswell, MD Medically reviewed by William Truswell, MD Facebook LinkedIn William Truswell, MD, is board-certified in otolaryngology and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. He is president of the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Frequent Symptoms Rare symptoms Complications When to See a Doctor At-Home Skin Checks Nodular melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer. It is the second most common form of melanoma. Roughly 15% of all melanomas are nodular melanomas. Nodular melanoma is a fast-growing cancer that typically first appears as a bump or raised lesion on the skin. The lesion is typically firm and may be a blackish-blue or bluish-red color. Learn more about the symptoms of nodular melanoma. Peter Dazeley/Getty Images Frequent Symptoms Unlike other forms of melanoma, nodular melanoma cannot be identified using the ABCDE method of identification, which stands for: A for asymmetryB for border irregularityC for color variability/changeD for differentE for evolving Instead, nodular melanomas are identified through the EFG method, meaning: E for elevatedF for firmG for growing Frequently, nodular melanoma presents as a fast-growing lump that may increase in size over weeks or months. The lesions commonly appear on exposed areas of the skin, like the head and neck. But it is possible for nodular melanomas to appear anywhere. The main symptom of nodular melanoma is a lump or skin lesion. These lumps may appear: Dome shapedSymmetricalFirmBigger than most moles, typically 1 centimeter or largerSingle color, or variable in pigment, ranging from black, red, blue, or the color of the person's skinSmoothRoughCrustedWarty Symptoms of nodular melanoma include: ItchingStingingOozingBleeding Rare symptoms In rare cases, nodular melanoma may not have a black or dark coloring. Nodular melanoma may present as pink, red, purple, or be skin colored. This form of nodular melanoma is called an amelanotic melanoma, a subcategory meaning the melanoma lacks dark pigments typically seen in most melanomas. Due to the lack of pigment typical of other melanomas, amelanotic melanomas, including nodular melanomas that are amelanotic, may be overlooked or mistaken for benign skin conditions. It is estimated that roughly 5% of melanomas overall are amelanotic. Complications Nodular melanoma grows rapidly and, because of this, may not be diagnosed until it is at an advanced stage. As the cancer advances, it can spread to: Nearby lymph nodesNearby areas of the skin If undetected and left untreated, the cancer will continue to advance. At its most advanced stage nodular melanoma, as with other melanomas, may spread to: Distant lymph nodesOrgans like the liver, brain, and lungs Cancer that spreads to other parts of the body can cause a variety of symptoms. These include: FatigueWeight loss and lack of appetiteNausea or vomitingDifficulty swallowingAbdominal painSwelling or lumpsPain that doesn't go awayCough or hoarseness that doesn't resolveSkin changes, including bleeding and bruising for no apparent reasonChanges to bowel habitsPain when urinating, blood in the urine, or more frequent need to urinateFeverHeadachesNight sweatsVision and hearing problemsMouth sores, bleeding, pain, or numbness in the mouth When to See a Doctor Any changes to the skin should be investigated by a healthcare provider. This includes: New spotsExisting spots that change in size, shape, or color How Nodular Melanoma Is Diagnosed At-Home Skin Checks The earlier skin cancer is detected, the greater chance of successful treatment. Doing regular skin checks at home can be helpful in detecting skin cancer early. Most healthcare professionals recommend going over your skin once per month. To prepare for a skin check on yourself at home, consider doing the following: Choose a room that is well lit and has a full-length mirror.Have a handheld mirror handy to check areas that are hard to see with the naked eye.Enlist the help of a trusted family member or friend to examine areas like your back and scalp.The first time you check your skin, take note of existing moles, freckles, or marks so during your next skin check, you can note any changes. The best time to try an at-home skin check is after a bath or shower. To perform a skin check, follow these steps: Face a mirror.Examine your face, ears, neck, chest, and stomach.Women should lift their breasts to examine the skin underneath.Examine the underarm area and both sides of the arms.Examine the hands, both the palms and tops of the hands.Check between your fingers and under your nails.Sit down and examine your shins, tops of your feet, and front of your thighs.Look between your toes and under toenails.Check the bottom of your feet, calves, and backs of your thighs (a handheld mirror may be helpful here).Use a handheld mirror to check your genital area, buttocks, and lower and upper back.Examine the back of your neck and ears or ask a family member to help.Part your hair and check your scalp. If you see anything that worries you, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider. If left undetected, nodular melanoma can spread (metastasize) to the lymph nodes and organs in the body like the lungs, liver, and brain. Metastasis can cause a variety of symptoms and can be serious. If cancer has spread to other parts of the body, treatment is likely to be more successful if the cancer is caught early. If symptoms are not related to cancer, other conditions can be identified and treated. A Word From Verywell Nodular melanoma is a fast-growing and aggressive form of skin cancer. It typically presents as a lump or lesion on the skin that is firm and may or may not be colored. It may not be diagnosed until is it in the advanced stages due to the speed it can grow. As such, at-home skin checks are an important tool in diagnosing and treating skin cancer like nodular melanoma early. If you perform a skin check and notice something suspicious, or if you have any unusual symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea, pain, or unexplained weight loss, don't hesitate to make an appointment with a healthcare professional for an exam. A doctor can help you determine if further testing or treatment is needed. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 8 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Nodular Melanoma. DermNet NZ. Nodular Melanoma. DermNet NZ. ABCDEFG of melanoma. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Amelanotic melanoma American Cancer Society. Melanoma skin cancer stages. American Cancer Society. Signs and symptoms of cancer. American Cancer Society. If you have melanoma skin cancer. American Cancer Society. How to do a skin self exam.