Melanoma is a life-threatening form of skin cancer. This cancer starts in the color-producing (pigment-producing) cells of the skin. Melanoma may develop from a previously existing mole (nevus) or may occur as a new lesion. Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to complete cure and survival, while advanced forms are likely to have a poor outcome (prognosis). Advanced melanoma can spread (metastasize) to the lymph nodes and other areas in the body, usually the lungs, liver, and brain.
Who Has It
You are more likely to develop melanoma if you have:
• Family history or prior personal history of melanoma
• History of severe sunburn
• A changing mole
• Older age
• Fair skin
• Multiple unusual moles (atypical nevi)
Melanoma may be seen at any age, but it is rarely seen in young children. Melanoma is most often diagnosed during middle age. The frequency of diagnosis (incidence) of melanoma has been increasing in recent years.
What It Looks Like
Melanoma may occur anywhere on the body, including the eye, mouth, and genital area.
• Men usually develop melanoma on the head, neck, and trunk.
• Women usually develop melanoma on the arms and legs.
Melanoma often appears as a lesion that is large or expanding in size with irregular borders and color (pigmentation). You may note irregular color and/or border in the lesion. You might notice multiple colors, such as black, blue, or red.
The pictures below show several examples of Melanoma’s. However, the curious are encouraged to look at more pictures on the following web site http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/melanoma.htm#who. This site will also describe each picture with a small textual description.
Self-Care
• Protective measures, such as avoiding skin exposure to sunlight during peak sun hours (10 AM to 3 PM), wearing protective clothing, and applying high-SPF sunscreen, are essential for reducing exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) light.
• Monthly self-examination of the skin, as described below, is helpful to detect new lesions or changes in existing lesions.
• Remember the ABCDEs of skin cancer (melanoma):
A - Asymmetry: One half of the lesion does not mirror the other half.
B - Border: The borders are irregular or vague (indistinct).
C - Color: More than one color may be noted within the mole.
D - Diameter: Size greater than 6 mm (roughly the size of a pencil eraser) may be concerning.
E - Evolving: Notable changes in the lesion over time are suspicious signs for skin cancer.
Once a month, you should perform a self-exam to look for signs of skin cancer. It is best to perform the exam in a well-lit area after a shower or bath. Use a full-length mirror with the added assistance of a hand mirror when necessary. Using a hair dryer can help you examine any areas of skin covered by hair, such as your scalp.
• In front of a full-length mirror, inspect the front of your body making sure to look at the front of your neck, chest (including under breasts), legs, and genitals.
• With your arms raised, inspect both sides of your body making sure to examine your underarms.
• With your elbows bent, examine the front and back of your arms as well as your elbows, hands, fingers, area between your fingers, and fingernails.
• Inspect the tops and bottoms of your feet, the area between your toes, and toenails.
• With your back to the mirror and holding a hand mirror, inspect the back of your body, including the back of your neck, shoulders, legs, and buttocks.
• Using a hand mirror, examine your scalp and face.
As you perform your monthly self-exam, familiarize yourself with the moles, freckles, and other marks on your body, and look for any changes in them from month to month, including shape, size, color, or other changes, such as bleeding or itching. If you do note any changes, see your primary care physician or dermatologist.
When To Seek Medical Care
See your doctor when you see new moles with irregular color, irregular borders, asymmetry, or diameter greater than a pencil eraser or when you notice a change in an existing mole. A good thing to remember is that NOONE gets Moles after 30 years old. If you do, see your doctor.
Treatments Your Physician May Prescribe
• You will probably need to have surgical removal (excision) of the melanoma.
• Depending on how deep the tumor has grown, examination of the lymph nodes that might contain melanoma cells (sentinel lymph node biopsy) may be recommended. If these lymph nodes contain melanoma cells, you may need to have other lymph nodes examined. Some people may also require chemotherapy.
• Researchers are now testing medications containing antibodies (vaccines) as a way to treat melanoma. No vaccine has yet been shown to be effective in improving melanoma survival.
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