What Is Melanoma?

Melanoma is one of the most severe types of skin cancer. It develops in the cells that produce melanin. Melanin is the pigment responsible for skin color. Melanoma, in some cases, affects the eyes and internal organs. There`s much to know about melanoma; let`s get talking!

Types of Melanoma

These are the four most common types of melanoma that people suffer.

Superficial Spreading Melanoma

This is the most common type of melanoma, and it usually affects the arms, chest, back, and legs.

Nodular Melanoma

It is the second most common type of melanoma, and it spreads quickly, compared to other types of melanoma. Nodular melanoma is likely to lose color as it grows, turning from black to red.

Lentigo Maligna Melanoma

This is common in older people who have had much exposure to the sun over the years. It occurs as a result of a progressing precancerous condition called lentigo maligna or Hutchinson’s melanotic freckle and looks like a stain on the skin.

Acral Lentiginous Melanoma

This is the least common among the types of melanoma, and it is found on the palms, soles of the feet, and under the nails. People who have brown or black skin suffer this type of melanoma more than others.

Stages of Melanoma

There are five stages of melanoma. Here`s a brief description of each.

Stage 0

Here, the cancer is confined to the outermost layer of the skin. It is commonly known as melanoma in situ. Just like almost all other cancers, melanoma can be quite difficult to detect in its early stages. This is why it is important to keep checking your skin actively for changing signs and report such to your doctor.

Stage 1

When melanoma progresses to stage 1 if it is 2 mm thick. At this stage, it has not spread to the lymph nodes or other sites, and it may or may not be ulcerated.

Stage 2

At stage 2, melanoma will at least be 1.01 mm thick and may progress to being thicker than 4 mm.

Stage 3

Here, it has spread to one or more of the lymph nodes or nearby lymphatic channels. It is probably thicker than 4 mm, and may even be ulcerated.

Stage 4

In stage 4, it keeps progressing and spreads to the near and distant lymph nodes or organs like the brain, lungs, and/or liver.

Symptoms of Melanoma

• The appearance of a new spot or mole
• Changes in the size, color, or shape, of an existing spot/mole
• Painful, itchy, and tender spots or moles
• The appearance of a spot/lump that looks waxy, shiny, smooth, or pale
• The appearance of a red spot that is flat and has a rough, dry, or scaly surface
• The appearance of a red lump that either bleeds or appears ulcerated/crusty

Note that these may also be symptoms of some other conditions. It is best to consult a doctor when you notice any of them.

Causes of Melanoma

Abnormal Melanocytes

Abnormal melanocytes are one of the main causes of melanoma. The melanin-producing cells are responsible for giving the skin its color.
When new cells develop, they push old ones to the surface. The old cells die and fall off the surface of the skin. However, with abnormal melanocytes, cells grow out of control and form a mass of cancerous cells.

Light Complexion

Even though this isn`t exactly a cause of melanoma, it is a factor that increases its risk. The light complexion is a sign of low melanin, hence light-skinned people are at a higher risk of developing melanoma.

Exposure to UV Radiation

Excessive exposure to UV radiation from the sun or tanning lights puts you at risk of melanoma. Also, people who live at a higher altitude stand at risk of melanoma.

Other likely causes of melanoma are:

• A weak immune system
• A family history of melanoma
• Advancing age

How to Diagnose Melanoma

The ABCDE examination is effective at assessing the suspected lesions for malignancy. Let`s take a look.

Asymmetric

Normal moles are usually round and symmetrical, however, a cancerous mole is usually never round or asymmetrical.

Border

The border is quite likely to be irregular than smooth. It is usually ragged, blurred, or notched.

Color

Melanomas usually take different colors such as black, brown, or tan. Some may even have blue or white pigmentation.

Diameter

Moles that are larger in diameter — more than a quarter inch — are an indication of skin cancer.

Evolving

When a mole has changed in its appearance over a few weeks or months, it may be a symptom of skin cancer.

Besides the ABCDE examination, doctors may examine the skin by observing changes in the back and chest.

How to Treat Melanoma

Treating melanoma works just as treating some other kinds of cancers, however, melanoma is relatively easy to treat, unlike internal cancers.

Surgery

Surgery is the most common treatment for melanoma — it involves the removal of the lesion along with the normal tissue surrounding it.

Skin Graft

If cancer has spread to a large area of the skin, it may become necessary to do a skin graft, in which healthy skin is transplanted onto the site of the surgery. If melanoma ends up penetrating the lymph nodes, a lymph node biopsy may be conducted.

Chemotherapy

There are three types of chemotherapy used in treating melanoma, and we will discuss all three briefly. Note, however, that chemotherapy is not a common treatment method.

Biological Therapy

This entails the use of drugs that work to improve the immune system.

Photodynamic Therapy

It involves the use of a combination of light, radiation, and drugs. This is only prescribed in rare cases.

Targeted Therapy

This involves the use of drugs to turn off the genes in the abnormal melanoma cells. Some studies, however, have declared this treatment ineffective.

Side Effects of Melanoma Treatment

As important as it is to treat melanoma, it is important to note that melanoma treatments have their side effects; let`s take a look at them.

• nausea
• heightened sensitivity to hot/cold climate
• risk of recurrence
• hair loss
• mouth sores
• bruising
• bleeding
• infections
• fatigue
• changes in appetite
• constipation
• diarrhea
• itchiness
• rashes

How to Prevent Melanoma

• Always wear sun-protective clothing.
• Wear UV-protective sunglasses for protection from the sun.
• Avoid using tanning beds, tanning salons, or sun lamps.
• Reduce direct exposure to the sun between 10 am and 4 pm.
• Avoid recreational outdoor sunbathing.
• Examine your skin regularly.

Some Melanoma Facts

• Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S.
• It is predicted that over 190,000 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with melanoma as of 2019, while about 7,000 will lose their lives to it.
• Melanoma can develop anywhere on the body – eyes, feet, scalp, nails, mouth, etc.
• Melanoma can affect people of any age, race or gender.
• Melanoma is the leading cause of cancer death in young women between ages 25 and 30, and the second leading cause of cancer death in women between ages 30 and 35.
• At least, 500 American children are diagnosed with melanoma annually.
• Mucosal melanoma is a rare form of melanoma that develops in the nasal passages, sinuses, oral cavity, anus, vagina, and other areas.

Now That You Know…

Learning about melanoma is quite important, hence we congratulate you for taking this step. Preventing the condition is vital, hence it would be a smart move to do so.