Melanoma Types, Signs and Treatments
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
- The most common type of melanoma
- Spreads across the upper layer surface of the skin first
Nodular melanoma
- The second most common type of melanoma
- Often features firm bumps on the surface of the skin (nodules)
- Aggressive and grows quickly
Lentigo maligna melanoma
- Relatively rare
- Develops on the scalp, neck or face in most cases
- Develops on older people or those with extremely sun damaged skin
Acral lentiginous melanoma
- Extremely rare
- Affects people of African and Asian decent more often
- Often appears on soles of the feet or palms of the hands and under the toenails and fingernails
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:
- A family history of melanoma
- Weakened immunity
- Excessive UV exposure (from the sun, tanning beds, sun lamps)
- Fair skin and fair hair
- Having moles
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:
- Sores or injuries that do not heal
- Darkened skin around a mole
- Redness or swelling around a mole
- Itchiness or pain on the skin
- Changes to the appearance of a mole
According to the “ABCDE” rule, melanoma cancers usually:
- Asymmetrical
- Have jagged Borders
- Have varying Colors
- Have a Diameter of more than quarter inch
- Evolve or change shape
Treatment Options
Doctors may recommend one or more of the following treatments for melanoma cancer:
- Laser surgery (non-invasive, appropriate for early stage cancer)
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Complimentary therapies (cancer targeting drugs, immunotherapy)
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.