Melanoma
What is Melanoma?
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. There are three main types of skin cancer: melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are usually benign and more easily cured. Melanoma is the least common but most deadly form of skin cancer.
Melanoma is a malignant tumor that begins in the melanocytes, the cells that give us our coloring (skin, eyes and hair). Much of the danger behind melanoma is its ability to spread rapidly to other parts of the body. Early detection and treatment is crucial. The incidence of melanoma is rising rapidly and it is currently the most frequently occurring skin cancer among women between the ages of 25 and 29.
Melanoma Risk Factors
- Family history. Melanoma sometimes will run in families. People who have one or more family members with a history of melanoma should begin skin screening early on.
- Coloring. People with fair skin, light eyes and many freckles have an increased risk for melanoma. This does not mean that if you have dark skin, dark eyes or no freckles that you are immune.
- Sun exposure. If you have ever had a severe or blistering sunburn at any time in your life your risk for melanoma is greater.
- Immune system. People with weakened immune systems due to AIDS, certain cancers or organ transplants are at an increased risk for Melanoma.
Melanoma Prevention
Protect your skin! Most skin cancers, including melanoma are caused by over-exposure to the sun, particularly UV radiation. UV rays from both the sun and tanning booths can damage the genetic make-up of cells causing abnormal growths.
It is always important to limit sun exposure, but if you have one of the risk factors such as fair coloring, it is even more important to protect yourself against the sun. Wearing protective clothing and or sunscreen is important, especially during peak hours of sunlight (10am-4pm).
Melanoma Early Detection
A crucial part of early detection in all types of skin cancer is being aware of moles on your own body. It is important to note any changes in mole size, coloration or shape or if new moles appear. Make sure that you get regular skin checks by a doctor and that the doctor looks at any moles that you think are suspicious.
A simple way to detect a mole abnormality is to use the ABCD’s of melanoma detection
- A - Asymmetry: An asymmetric mole could be an indication of melanoma as moles are typically symmetric when healthy.
- B – Border: Moles typically have a well-defined or smooth border while a melanoma lesion might have uneven or rough border.
- C – Color: Melanoma tumors are usually several shades of brown or black, a normal mole is typically one color, usually brown.
- D – Diameter: A normal mole is usually smaller then 6 mm in diameter while melanoma lesions are often greater. It is also important to note the size of a mole in reference to your other moles, as melanomas are not always greater then 6 mm.
Melanoma Treatment
Treatment of melanoma will often depend on the stage of the cancer. It is much easier to treat early stage melanoma, because it has not yet spread to other layers of skin or parts of the body.
Early-stage melanomas (stages I and II) are usually successfully treated by surgery. Surgery typically involves a removal of the melanoma lesion with a possible removal of other suspicious moles. Advanced-stage melanomas (stages III and IV) may require a combination of surgical and nonsurgical therapies (e.g., immunotherapy, biochemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy).
As with any cancer there is truly no “permanent cure.” If you have been diagnosed with melanoma, it is even more important to stay vigilant with your skin checks, both at home and with your doctor. It is also important to remember that if your melanoma is recurrent then the same treatments may or may not be effective depending on the severity of the new tumor.