Melanoma Types, Signs and Treatments

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Melanoma, a type of skin cancer, is the most commonly occurring type of cancer in the United States and worldwide. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the five-year survival rate for melanoma is more than 99 percent if the disease is caught early. Despite this, it’s estimated that melanoma skin cancer will cause more than 7,000 fatalities in the U.S. this year alone.

Knowing what to look for will ensure you spot the signs and symptoms and seek medical attention before the disease progresses. Read on to learn more about melanoma.

What Is Melanoma?

Melanoma is a form of cancer that begins in the melanocyte cells of the skin. These cells are responsible for producing the skin’s pigment, known as melanin. For this reason, melanoma cancers often appear brown or black in color.

Melanoma is one of the rarest forms of skin cancer but also one of the most deadly. When the disease is permitted to progress without intervention, it can easily move to other organs and tissues. When this happens, the five-year survival rate can drop to as little as 27 percent.

Types of Melanoma

There are many different types of melanoma skin cancer. The four most common variants are:

Superficial spreading melanoma

Nodular melanoma

Lentigo maligna melanoma

Acral lentiginous melanoma

Known Causes and Risk Factors

A person’s chances of developing melanoma increase with each of the risk factors which apply. The known melanoma risk factors are:

Protecting yourself from the sun is the most important thing you can do to prevent melanoma skin cancer. Even one bad sunburn during a person’s lifetime leads to a significant increase in risk.

Early Signs and Symptoms

The following are early signs and symptoms of melanoma:

According to the “ABCDE” rule, melanoma cancers usually:

Treatment Options

Doctors may recommend one or more of the following treatments for melanoma cancer:

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating cancer. Treatment plans depend on the stage and location of the cancer, as well as the patient’s general health.

While melanoma is relatively rare, it is important to get checked out if you have concerns. Make an appointment with your family doctor or dermatologist if you are experiencing any of the warning signs listed above.