More about Melanoma / Skin

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that occurs when pigment producing cells called melanocytes mutate and begin to divide uncontrollably. Most pigment cells develop in the skin. Melanomas can develop anywhere on the skin, but certain areas are more at risk than others. In men, it is most likely to affect the chest and back. In women, the legs are the most common site. Other common sites of melanoma include the face. However, melanoma can also occur in the eyes and other parts of the body, including — on very rare occasions — the intestines. Melanoma is relatively rare in people with darker skin. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimate that there will be about 96,480 new diagnoses of melanoma in 2019. They also estimate that around 7,230 people will die due to melanoma in 2019..

Types

There are four types of melanoma. Learn more about each type in the sections below. Superficial spreading melanoma – This is the most common type of melanoma, and it often appears on the trunk or limbs. The cells tend to grow slowly at first before spreading across the surface of the skin. Nodular melanoma – This is the second most common type of melanoma, appearing on the trunk, head, or neck. It tends to grow quicker than other types, and it may appear as a reddish or blue-black color. Nodular melanoma is also the most aggressive type. Learn more about it here. Lentigo maligna melanoma – This is less common and tends to develop in older adults, especially in parts of the body that have had excessive sun exposure over several years, such as the face. It starts as a Hutchinson’s freckle, or lentigo maligna, which looks like a stain on the skin. It usually grows slowly and is less dangerous than other types of melanoma. Acral lentiginous melanoma – This is the rarest kind of melanoma. It appears on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or under the nails. Since people with darker skin do not typically get other types of melanoma, these tend to be the most common type of melanoma in those with darker skin types.

Symptoms

In its early stages, melanoma can be difficult to detect. It is important to check the skin for any signs of change. Alterations in the appearance of the skin are vital indicators of melanoma. Doctors use them in the diagnostic process. The Melanoma Research Foundation offer pictures of melanomas and normal moles to help a person learn how to tell the difference. They also list some symptoms that should prompt a person to visit the doctor, including: Any skin changes, such as a new spot or mole or a change in the color, shape, or size of an existing spot or mole, A skin sore that fails to heal, A spot or sore that becomes painful, itchy, or tender, A spot or sore that starts to bleed, A spot or lump that looks shiny, waxy, smooth, or pale, A firm, red lump that bleeds or looks ulcerated or crusty. The ABCDE examination of moles is an important method for revealing potentially cancerous lesions. It describes five simple characteristics to check for in a mole that can help a person either confirm or rule out melanoma: Asymmetric: Noncancerous moles tend to be round and symmetrical, whereas one side of a cancerous mole is likely to look different to the other side. Border: This is likely to be irregular rather than smooth and may appear ragged, notched, or blurred. Color: Melanomas tend to contain uneven shades and colors, including black, brown, and tan. They may even contain white or blue pigmentation. Diameter: Melanoma can cause a change in the size of a mole. For example, if a mole becomes larger than one-quarter of an inch in diameter, it might be cancerous. Evolving: A change in a mole’s appearance over weeks or months can be a sign of skin cancer.