Melanoma is a skin cancer. It affects skin cells called melanocytes. These cells produce skin color. They also give moles their dark color. Under normal conditions, moles are benign skin tumors. This means non-cancerous. Sometimes a mole can develop into melanoma. A new mole may also be an early melanoma.
Melanoma is less common and more dangerous. They are much more likely to spread to other parts of the body.
Skin cancer is caused by:
These factors increase your chance of developing melanoma:
Melanomas are not usually painful. At first they often have no symptoms. The first sign is often a change in the size, shape, color, or feel of an existing mole. They may also appear as a new, dark, discolored, or abnormal mole. Remember that most people have moles. Almost all moles are benign.
The following are signs that a mole may be a melanoma:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. The doctor will look at your skin and moles. A biopsy will be taken of certain. Other moles will be watched over time.
The doctor may also examine lymph nodes. They may be in the groin, underarm, neck, or areas near the suspicious mole. Enlarged lymph nodes may suggest the spread of melanoma. The doctor may need to remove a sample of lymph node tissue to test for cancer cells.
Once melanoma is found, tests are done to find out if the cancer has spread. Treatment depends on whether the cancer has spread.
The melanoma and some healthy tissue around it will be removed. If a large area of tissue is removed, a skin graft may be done. Lymph nodes near the tumor may be removed, as well.
This treatment uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be given in many forms. This includes pills, injections, and via a catheter.
Biological therapy involves substances made by the body to increase or restore the body's natural defenses against cancer. Examples include:
Radiation therapy is the use of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. This is not a cure for melanoma. It is used in combination with other therapies.
To reduce your chance of getting melanoma:
Take the following steps to find melanoma in its early stages:
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Dermatology
http://www.aad.org/
American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/
Skin Cancer Foundation
http://www.skincancer.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Dermatology Association
http://www.dermatology.ca/
Dermatologists.ca
http://www.dermatologists.ca/
References:
Melanoma. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated July 2008. Accessed July 28, 2008.
What is melanoma skin cancer? American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_2_1X_What_is_melanoma_skin_cancer_50.asp?sitearea=CRI . Updated July 2008. Accessed July 28, 2008.
What you need to know about melanoma. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/melanoma . Published March 2003. Accessed July 28, 2008.
Last reviewed February 2009 by Ross Zeltser, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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