Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. It accounts for an estimated 1% of all skin cancers but is responsible for the majority of skin cancer-related deaths.
When caught in its early stages, melanoma can be successfully treated and managed. Knowing its risk factors can help you avoid this cancer and take the necessary steps to keep your skin healthy.
Symptoms of Melanoma
Melanoma can develop anywhere on your body, including in areas that haven’t been exposed to the sun. It can form and grow on an existing mole or develop as a new growth on an unmarked area of skin. The most common sites of melanoma include the face, neck, legs, chest, and back.
Examine all the moles on your body regularly to look for signs and symptoms of melanoma. A mole with the following characteristics may indicate that you have melanoma:
- Asymmetrical and irregular shape
- Irregular border
- Multiple colors,or uneven coloring
- Large size, which is considered greater than one-fourth of an inch
- Itching and bleeding
- Changes in appearance that develop over time
Causes and Risk Factors of Melanoma
Melanoma occurs when the DNA in some skin cells becomes damaged, and the damaged cells multiply and increase to form growths, tumors, and skin abnormalities.
The exact cause of melanoma is unknown, though doctors suspect it is due to excess exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, such as that emitted by sunlight and tanning beds. Genetic and environmental factors and certain lifestyle behaviors can also cause melanoma.
Anyone can get melanoma, but certain factors may increase your risk. Melanoma risk factors include:
- Fair skin
- Blond or red hair, freckles, and light-colored eyes
- History of severe sunburns
- Having lots of moles
- Family history of skin cancer
- Race (the risk is highest in white people)
- Living at a high elevation
- Living near the equator
- Weakened immune system
Diagnosing Melanoma
Skin cancer can often be diagnosed with a physical exam and biopsy.
During the physical exam, your doctor will examine your mole to look for signs of melanoma, including irregular borders, multiple colors, and bleeding. Your personal and family medical histories may also be reviewed.
A biopsy involves removing a small sample of tissue from the mole or skin irregularity and sending it to the lab where it can be evaluated and tested for melanoma.
If your doctor suspects you have advanced melanoma, you may have a blood test to check for the presence of an enzyme called lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Levels of LDH are usually higher than normal if you have melanoma. Other diagnostic tests that may be used to detect and evaluate late-stage melanoma include a lymph node biopsy, MRI, CT scan, and PET scan.
Treatments for Melanoma
Treatment for melanoma depends mainly on its stage. The goal of treatment is to remove the cancer and any abnormal skin cancer cells that can spread to other parts of the body.
Early-stage melanoma is usually treated using biopsy or surgery, during which your doctor will remove a thin, top layer of skin suspected to contain cancer. This may be the only treatment needed for early-stage, or stage 0, melanoma.
Melanoma that has spread beyond the skin may be treated using the following methods:
- Surgery to remove any affected lymph nodes
- Surgery to remove tumors on affected organs
- Chemotherapy, which involves the use of drugs that destroy skin cancer cells
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted therapy, which involves the use of drugs that target specific components of skin cancer cells—such as cells with a mutation in the BRAF gene and cells with MEK proteins
- Immunotherapy
- Melanoma vaccines, which may prevent cancer from coming back after surgery
Tips for Preventing Melanoma
It’s possible to prevent melanoma and reduce your risk even if this skin cancer runs in your family. Steps you can take to prevent melanoma include:
- Avoiding direct exposure to the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. or whenever the sun’s rays are strongest in your region
- Wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays
- Wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, shoes, pants, and a long-sleeved shirt to protect your skin from the sun when spending time outdoors
- Avoiding the use of tanning beds and tanning lamps
- Inspecting your moles and skin regularly for signs of melanoma and other irregularities
When to See a Doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor right away if you notice any new skin changes, especially changes to moles. Your doctor can perform an exam and biopsy or refer you to a dermatologist for further testing and evaluation.
The five-year relative survival rate for melanoma is 99% for localized cancer that hasn’t spread and 68% for regional cancer that has spread to nearby lymph nodes and other structures. Early detection and treatment of melanoma can increase your chances of experiencing a positive outcome.