Symptoms of advanced melanoma

Advanced melanoma means the melanoma has spread from where it started to another part of the body.

It might not mean that you have advanced cancer if you have the symptoms described below. They can be caused by other conditions.

General symptoms

The symptoms of advanced cancer depend on where the cancer is in the body. They might include:

• hard or swollen lymph nodes
• hard lump on your skin
• unexplained pain
• feeling very tired or unwell
• unexplained weight loss
• yellowing of eyes and skin (jaundice)
• build up of fluid in your tummy (abdomen) - ascites
• tummy pain

Where melanoma spreads

Melanoma can spread to almost anywhere in the body but the most common places for it to spread are the:

• lymph nodes
• lungs
• liver
• bones
• brain
• tummy (abdomen)

Symptoms if cancer has spread to the lymph nodes

Lymph nodes are part of a system of tubes and glands in the body that filters body fluids and fights infection.

The most common symptom if cancer has spread to the lymph nodes is that they feel hard or swollen. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck area can make it hard to swallow.

Cancer cells can also stop lymph fluid from draining away. This might lead to swelling in the neck or face due to fluid buildup in that area. The swelling is called lymphoedema.

Symptoms if cancer has spread to the lungs

You may have any of these symptoms if your cancer has spread into the lungs:

• a cough that doesn’t go away
• breathlessness
• ongoing chest infections
• coughing up blood
• a buildup of fluid between the chest wall and the lung (a pleural effusion)

Symptoms if cancer has spread to the liver

You might have any of the following symptoms if your cancer has spread to the liver:

• discomfort or pain on the right side of your tummy (abdomen)
• feeling sick
• poor appetite and weight loss
• a swollen tummy (called ascites)
• yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• itchy skin

Symptoms if cancer has spread to the bone

You might have any of the following symptoms if your cancer has spread to the bones:

• pain from breakdown of the bone – the pain is continuous and people often describe it as gnawing
• backache, which gets worse despite resting
• weaker bones – they can break more easily
• raised blood calcium (hypercalcaemia), which can cause dehydration, confusion, sickness, tummy (abdominal) pain and constipation
• low levels of blood cells – blood cells are made in the bone marrow and can be crowded out by the cancer cells, causing anaemia, increased risk of infection, bruising and bleeding

Cancer in the spinal bones can cause pressure on the spinal cord. If it isn't treated, it can lead to weakness in your legs, numbness, paralysis and loss of bladder and bowel control (incontinence). This is called spinal cord compression. It is an emergency, so if you have these symptoms contact your 24 hour advice line or healthcare team straight away. If you can't get through, contact your GP or go to your nearest accident and emergency department (A&E). 

Symptoms if cancer has spread to the brain

You might have any of the following symptoms if your cancer has spread to your brain:

• memory problems, mood or personality changes
• seizures
• confusion
• severe headaches, often with sickness
• weakness of an arm or leg