What Is Melanoma?

Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It usually starts in pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) and can:

  • Appear as a new spot on the skin
  • Develop from an existing mole or freckle that changes in size, shape, or color

When melanoma is found early, more than 95% of skin cancers can be successfully treated. If it is not treated quickly, melanoma can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body and may no longer be curable. If you notice any new or changing spots on your skin, schedule an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist in Grand Rapids as soon as possible.

Skin Cancer and Melanoma in the United States

The United States has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. More than 2 in 3 Americans will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer in their lifetime.

Excluding non-melanoma skin cancers (like basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma), melanoma is the third most common cancer in the U.S. It is:

  • Most often diagnosed in adults aged 55 and older
  • Still seen in young adults, teenagers, and even children

American adolescents have one of the highest rates of melanoma for their age group worldwide.

Melanoma Risk in Grand Rapids and West Michigan

Living in Grand Rapids, Michigan, you may not think about skin cancer as much as people in sunnier states. However, melanoma is still a serious concern here:

  • Snow and water reflection: In winter, snow in West Michigan reflects UV radiation, increasing exposure, especially when skiing, snowboarding, or spending time outdoors.
  • Great Lakes region: Time at Lake Michigan beaches, boating, and fishing in summer can mean long hours in the sun and on reflective water surfaces.
  • Cloudy days: Grand Rapids has many cloudy days, but up to 80% of UV rays can still penetrate clouds. You can burn even when it’s overcast.

Local healthcare systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health frequently diagnose and treat skin cancers, including melanoma. The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health also offer education and resources on skin cancer prevention.

Types of Skin Cancer

The three major types of skin cancer are:

  1. Melanoma (most dangerous)
  2. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
  3. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

Melanoma and other skin cancers generally develop from overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, either from the sun or artificial sources such as tanning beds (which are now banned for commercial use for minors in many states and strongly discouraged for all adults).

How UV Radiation Damages Skin

Each time unprotected skin is exposed to UV radiation:

  • Damage occurs in the DNA of skin cells
  • Over time, this damage can become permanent
  • With repeated exposure, the risk of abnormal cell growth and skin cancer increases

Every additional decade of overexposure to UV further increases your risk of melanoma and other skin cancers. Increased use of sun protection at any age can significantly reduce your risk.

Who Is at Risk for Melanoma?

All skin types can be damaged by UV radiation. Even people who tan easily and rarely burn can develop melanoma.

You may have a higher risk of melanoma if you:

  • Have pale or fair skin that burns easily and does not tan well
  • Have many moles on your skin
  • Have large, irregularly shaped, or unevenly colored moles
  • Have had previous melanomas
  • Have a history of many sunburns, especially blistering sunburns
  • Use or previously used tanning beds
  • Have a family history of melanoma
  • Are older (risk increases with age)

People with naturally very dark skin have more melanin, which offers some protection and lowers the risk of skin cancer. However, when melanoma does occur in people with darker skin, it is often detected at a later, more dangerous stage, leading to a higher risk of death. In darker skin tones, melanoma may appear on the palms, soles of the feet, under the nails, or in areas not usually exposed to the sun.

Signs and Symptoms of Melanoma

The first sign of a flat melanoma is usually a new spot or a change in an existing mole or freckle. Changes may include:

  • The spot grows larger
  • The edges become irregular or notched rather than smooth
  • The color becomes uneven or mottled, with shades of brown, black, blue, red, white, or gray
  • The spot becomes itchy, tender, or painful
  • The spot may bleed, crust, or not heal

The ABCDEs of Melanoma

A helpful way to remember what to look for is the ABCDE rule:

  • A – Asymmetry: One half looks different from the other
  • B – Border: Edges are irregular, ragged, or blurred
  • C – Color: Multiple colors or uneven color
  • D – Diameter: Larger than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser), though some melanomas are smaller
  • E – Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color, or symptoms (itching, bleeding)

If you notice any of these features, schedule an appointment with a Grand Rapids dermatologist or your primary care provider promptly.

Nodular Melanoma: A Fast-Growing Type

Nodular melanoma is a highly dangerous form of melanoma that:

  • Is usually raised rather than flat
  • Often appears as a single, dome-shaped bump
  • Is usually even in color (often red or pink, but can be brown or black)
  • Grows quickly and can become life-threatening in a short time

Because nodular melanoma can develop rapidly, see a doctor immediately if you notice a new, growing, raised spot that looks different from your other moles.

How Fast Can Melanoma Grow?

Melanoma can grow very quickly. Some melanomas can become life-threatening in as little as 6 weeks. Melanoma can also:

  • Appear on skin that is usually covered (such as the soles of the feet or under nails)
  • Develop in areas that have never been exposed to the sun

Melanomas on the arms and legs are often detected earlier and may have better outcomes than those on the trunk, neck, or head, which are sometimes found later.

Checking Your Skin in Grand Rapids’ Seasons

It’s important to get to know your skin and what is normal for you so you can spot changes early.

  • Check your entire body once a month, including:
    • Scalp and behind ears
    • Between fingers and toes
    • Soles of feet and under nails
    • Back, buttocks, and backs of legs (use a mirror or ask for help)

Because Grand Rapids has long winters and people may cover up more, it’s easy to miss changes. Make skin checks part of your routine year-round, not just in summer.

If you notice anything unusual—new spots, changes in size, shape, or color, or a spot that itches, bleeds, or does not heal—see your doctor immediately.

Is Melanoma Contagious?

Melanoma is not contagious. You cannot catch it from another person or spread it to others through physical contact.

How Melanoma Is Diagnosed

If your doctor or dermatologist suspects melanoma, they will:

  1. Take a medical history and perform a physical exam

    • Ask about your sun exposure, tanning bed use, and family history
    • Examine your skin thoroughly

  2. Perform an excision biopsy

    • Under local anesthetic, the doctor removes the suspicious spot and a small amount of normal-looking skin around it
    • The tissue is sent to a laboratory to be examined under a microscope

Test results usually take a few days. It is normal to feel anxious while waiting. Talking with a trusted friend or family member, or reaching out to local support services in Grand Rapids, can help.

If melanoma is confirmed, further tests may be recommended to see if it has spread. These may include:

  • Blood tests
  • Lymph node biopsy
  • Chest X-ray
  • Ultrasound
  • MRI scan
  • CT scan
  • Bone scan

Your care team at a Grand Rapids hospital—such as Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health – University of Michigan Health—will guide you through the process.

Treatment of Melanoma

Your treatment plan will depend on:

  • The type and stage of melanoma
  • Where it is located
  • Whether it has spread
  • Your general health
  • Your personal preferences

Most people with melanoma will need surgery. Other treatments may include immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and sometimes radiotherapy.

Surgery for Melanoma

Surgery is the primary treatment for most melanomas:

  • The surgeon removes the melanoma along with some normal-looking skin around it, called a margin of safety (typically 5 mm to 2 cm)
  • The goal is to remove any cancer cells in the surrounding skin and prevent the melanoma from returning at the same site

Most wounds can be closed with standard stitches. In some cases, a skin graft or skin flap may be needed if a larger area is removed.

Surgery for melanoma is commonly performed in Grand Rapids hospitals and outpatient surgical centers.

Biological Therapies and Immunotherapy

Biological therapies use substances that occur naturally in the body—or drugs that act like them—to help your immune system fight cancer. Some of these are called immunotherapies.

For melanoma, these may include:

  • Immune checkpoint inhibitors (a type of monoclonal antibody)
  • Targeted therapies for melanomas with specific gene changes

These treatments may be offered through oncology specialists in Grand Rapids at:

  • Corewell Health Cancer Center
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids cancer services
  • Other regional cancer centers in West Michigan

Many new biological therapies and vaccine-based treatments are under research and clinical trials. Your oncologist will discuss whether any of these options are suitable for you.

Radiotherapy for Melanoma

Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation to destroy or damage cancer cells. For melanoma, radiotherapy may be used:

  • After surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence in certain areas
  • To treat melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body
  • To relieve symptoms (palliative care)

Key points about radiotherapy:

  • Treatment is carefully planned to target the cancer and protect normal tissue
  • You may receive treatment once a day, Monday to Friday, over several weeks
  • Each session only takes a few minutes and is not painful
  • Radiotherapy does not make you radioactive—you can safely be around family and friends, including children

Radiation oncology services are available through major Grand Rapids hospital systems.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Many people with cancer explore complementary or alternative therapies, such as:

  • Massage
  • Acupuncture
  • Meditation and mindfulness
  • Herbal or dietary supplements

Some of these may help you feel better and improve your quality of life when used alongside conventional cancer treatments. However:

  • Some complementary therapies may interfere with cancer treatments or be harmful
  • Always tell your oncologist and healthcare team about any supplements or alternative therapies you are using
  • Never stop or change your prescribed treatment without talking to your doctor

All treatments—conventional or complementary—can have side effects. Your Grand Rapids care team can help manage these and connect you with supportive services.

Long-Term Outlook for People With Melanoma

Survival rates for melanoma have improved significantly over the past few decades due to earlier detection and better treatments.

  • Around 93% of people in the U.S. are alive five years after a melanoma diagnosis
  • Outcomes are generally better when melanoma is found early
  • Prognosis tends to be slightly better for women than for men

Your situation is unique, so discuss your individual outlook and expectations with your doctor.

When Melanoma Cannot Be Cured

If melanoma has spread widely and cannot be cured by surgery:

  • Treatment may still be recommended to help:
    • Relieve symptoms
    • Improve comfort and quality of life
    • Possibly extend life

Even if you choose not to have anti-cancer treatments, symptoms such as pain can usually be effectively managed. In Grand Rapids, palliative care teams, oncologists, and primary care providers work together to support patients and families.

Risk of Further Melanomas

If you have had melanoma once, you have a higher risk of developing another one. After treatment:

  • You will need regular skin checks by your doctor or dermatologist
  • Frequency of visits will depend on your situation and may decrease over time if no new problems arise
  • You will also need to perform monthly self-skin checks at home

Because biological family members often share similar traits, your close relatives may also have an increased risk of melanoma. They should:

  • Limit time in the sun
  • Use sun protection whenever UV levels are high
  • Have regular skin checks, especially if they have many moles or a family history of melanoma

If you notice any new skin changes or enlarged lymph nodes near where your melanoma was, see your specialist as soon as possible.

Sun Protection in Grand Rapids, MI

Even in Michigan’s cooler climate, UV protection is essential year-round. UV rays can be strong:

  • In summer, especially during midday and at Lake Michigan beaches
  • In winter, when UV reflects off snow and ice
  • On cloudy days, when UV still penetrates clouds

Use a combination of sun protection measures whenever the UV index is forecast to be 3 or higher:

  • Wear protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible
  • Use a broad-brimmed hat
  • Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, and reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating
  • Wear UV-protective sunglasses
  • Seek shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Check local UV index forecasts through weather apps or Grand Rapids and Kent County public health resources.

Caring for Someone With Melanoma

Caring for a loved one with cancer can be emotionally and physically demanding. Caregivers may:

  • Attend appointments and help track information
  • Assist with medications and symptom management
  • Provide emotional support

If you are caring for someone with melanoma in Grand Rapids, consider:

  • Speaking with your loved one’s care team about caregiver resources
  • Reaching out to local support groups and counseling services
  • Using educational materials from national cancer organizations and local health departments

Taking care of your own health and well-being is important so you can continue to provide support.

Local Resources in Grand Rapids, Michigan

If you are concerned about melanoma or have been diagnosed, the following local resources may help:

  • Your GP / Primary Care Provider – first point of contact for skin concerns and referrals
  • Dermatologist – for skin checks, biopsies, and follow-up care
  • Oncologist – for staging and treatment planning if melanoma is confirmed
  • Major Health Systems:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) – Grand Rapids
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health and affiliated clinics
  • Kent County Health Department / Grand Rapids Public Health – education, prevention, and community programs

For general nurse advice, many local health systems offer 24/7 nurse lines; check your insurance card or your health system’s website for current phone numbers and services.

Key Points About Melanoma

  • Excluding non-melanoma skin cancers, melanoma is the third most common cancer in the United States.
  • It is most commonly diagnosed in people aged 55 and over, but can affect younger adults, teens, and children.
  • Too much UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds causes permanent skin damage that worsens with each exposure.
  • Every additional decade of overexposure to UV further increases your risk of skin cancer.
  • Increased use of sun protection at any age helps prevent skin cancer and melanoma.
  • Early detection saves lives—regular skin checks and prompt medical evaluation of changes are essential.

If you live in Grand Rapids or West Michigan and are worried about a mole or spot on your skin, schedule an appointment with your doctor or a local dermatologist as soon as possible. Early action can make all the difference.