Melanoma Screening, Diagnosis & Treatment

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. While it is less common than other skin cancers, it is more likely to spread if not found early. When diagnosed at an early stage, melanoma is highly treatable. When diagnosis is delayed, treatment becomes more complex, and outcomes are less predictable.

At Elite Dermatology & Plastic Surgery, our board-certified dermatologists provide comprehensive melanoma screening, diagnosis, and treatment across the greater Houston area. With locations in Fulshear, Heights, Kingwood, Pearland, River Oaks, and Vintage Park, we make expert melanoma care accessible.

Why Choose Elite Dermatology & Plastic Surgery

At Elite Dermatology & Plastic Surgery, our board-certified dermatologists focus on early detection, accurate diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment tailored to each patient. From your first skin exam through diagnosis and follow-up, you’ll be entrusting your care to a team that treats melanoma every day and understands how critical timing is. Whether you need a routine melanoma screening or urgent evaluation of a changing mole, our team is here to help.

What Is Melanoma?

Melanoma develops in melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing skin pigment. It often appears as a new or changing mole, but it can also arise in existing moles or on normal-appearing skin. Melanoma can occur anywhere on the body, including areas that receive little sun exposure.
Although melanoma is most common in patients with lighter skin tones, anyone can develop melanoma, regardless of skin color or background. Risk increases with factors such as:

• A history of sunburns or tanning bed use
• Frequent or intense sun exposure
• Having many moles or atypical moles
• A personal or family history of melanoma

Did You Know?

Melanoma cannot be diagnosed by appearance alone. A biopsy is the only way to confirm whether a spot is cancerous. That’s why professional melanoma screening is so important when something looks suspicious.

Signs and Symptoms of Melanoma

Dermatologists often use the ABCDE guide to help identify moles that need evaluation:

• Asymmetry – Most melanomas do not match when split into halves.
• Borders – Melanomas often have irregular borders that aren’t well-defined.
• Color – A melanoma is more likely to have multi-tonal hues.
• Diameter – The diameter is often larger than 6mm but can be smaller.
• Evolving – Melanomas may seem to be shape-shifting or changing color.

Melanomas are also more likely to bleed, itch, or cause pain and irritation than benign moles. Any spot that looks different from the rest of your skin or changes over time should be examined by a dermatologist.

Comprehensive Melanoma Treatment Options at Elite Dermatology

If you have a mole that looks suspicious to your Elite dermatologist, he or she may order a biopsy to determine the biological composition of the lesion. If cancer is found, the pathology report may indicate certain details about the melanoma, such as its stage.

Early-stage melanomas that have not yet spread to the lymph nodes may be removed by a surgical procedure in the office. However, patients with melanoma in more advanced stages may need to have some lymph nodes removed for testing. This procedure is performed by a general surgeon. Patients with more advanced stages may also be referred to an oncologist for further imaging studies and chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

What to Expect After Melanoma Treatment

If your melanoma was found and treated in the earliest stages of cancer before it was allowed to spread, you should be able to return to normal life after treatment (97 percent do). Cure rates for mid to late-stage melanoma are moderate, with stage 3 cancer 5-year survival rates ranging between 40 and 78 percent.

Patients with a history of melanoma have a higher risk of developing another melanoma in the future. Consistent follow-up with a melanoma specialist in Houston is one of the most important parts of long-term care, along with avoiding excessive UV exposure.