Question about amelonotic melanoma

[TDBC]

I have very fair, pinkish skin and I do see a dermatologist regularly.  

For some reason I have what is probably an unreasonable fear of amelonotic melanoma.  I have a few pink/reddish spots and seem to get more as I get older (I am 42).  I am wondering if amelonotic melanoma will blanch with pressure?  In other words, can I be reassured that a pink spot is unlikely to me a melanoma if it blanches completely to skin color.

Thanks....

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
An amelanotic melanoma will blanch on diascopy (external pressure with a glass slide). This is also true for a BCC or for any other vasular lesion. The difference between the two is absence of telangiectasia( small blood vessels running across) on amelanotic melanoma and BCCs tend to have a long history (many years sometimes) as compared to the much shorter history of a melanoma (months).

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[TDBC]

Oh -- forgot to ask:  I know that the clinical presentation of a melanoma is generally a lesion that changes (size, height, color, etc.).  Can I reasonably assume that a spot/bump that remains stable over the course of months (a year...) is probably NOT a melanoma?