Melanoma often develops in an existing mole of any size that changes in color, shape, thickness, area, or sensation. Bleeding, pain, and ulceration usually are late signs that a mole has become melanoma. One percent of melanomas lack pigmentation and may appear as pink or red nodules. Not all changes in a mole, however, indicate melanoma. Has one or more large or irregularly pigmented skin growths.
Congenital moles are moles that are present at birth.
Small congenital moles occur in 1 percent of newborns. Infants born with a small congenital mole have an estimated 5 percent risk of developing melanoma by age 60. The lifetime melanoma risk for a person with a giant congenital mole is approximately 10 percent. Is light skinned. The incidence of melanoma among whites in the United States is approximately 12 times greater than that among nonwhites.