Malignant melanoma usually appears as a deep black mole on a region of the skin that is exposed to the sun. Sometimes, malignant melanoma develop in an area of the skin without sun exposure.

Symptoms of malignant melanoma include characteristic changes to moles, or nevi, on the skin.

Characteristics of a malignant melanoma include:

• Irregular border
• Mixed color rather than one consistent color such as brown, tan, or black
• Irregular shape
• Irregular borders: jagged or notched edges
• Rapid change in size or shape
• Size larger than 6 mm (1/4 inch)