what does it mean if your mole is black ?

Hello,
i have a unusally shaped mole on my arm, its been their since birth and as always been rather itchy,
the doctor said keep an eye on it, 3/4 years later (just after my hoilday) the mole became very black!
and more itcher than normal causing the mole to bleed,it then went on to be flaky and is now covered by skin but can still be seen, its like a dark blue/black with a red edge, it hurts to touch the area around it, my mother thinks its just dry skin and should mostiurise i have been
doing this but no change .. what should i do ? do i have cancer ?

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
A mole can have a malignant transformation.  About 70% of patients with melanoma have a preexisting mole at the primary tumor site.  
I would suggest you seek consult with your doctor for further evaluation.  
Good luck.

[Iwillwinthisbattle]

Hello,
     Not to scare you at all, but I don't want what happen to me happen to noone.  My first case of melanoma was 20 years ago, I put it off for about 8 months thinking it was nothing. (Just the mole was changing.) When I finally went it was melanoma. Sense then I go every 6 months, I have had 2 stage 1 and 2 precancer.  
        18 1/2 years later from the first mole  (I just thought it was nothing) ended comming back under my arm and through my lymph nodes. Now I have Stage III Melanoma. The other 3 spots I got check right away and I'm clean and clear from those site. If you ever ? anything with your health, I'm a strong believe to go have it check out.  The best thing you can hear, It's nothing, then always have it in the back of your mind.  Good luck. Please, Please call today. Remember the only one that spreaded, was the one I didn't go right away. My postive thought are being send your way.