Skin Cancer
Melanoma
Melanoma is the most serious
form of skin cancer. Even so, if diagnosed and removed while it is still thin
and limited to the outermost skin layer, it is almost 100% curable. Once the
cancer advances and metastasizes (spreads) to other parts of the body, it
is hard to treat and can be deadly. During the past 10 years the number of
cases of melanoma has increased more rapidly than that of any other cancer.
Over 51,000 new cases are reported to the American Cancer Society each year,
and it is probable that a great many more occur and are not reported.
- People with lots of moles, and those who have some large moles, have an increased risk for melanoma.
- People with fair skin, freckling, light hair or blue eyes have a higher risk of melanoma. But anyone can get melanoma.
- Around 10% of people with melanoma have a close relative (mother father, brother, sister, child) with the disease. A strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer could mean that certain gene changes (mutations) are present. Men with this gene change have a higher risk of melanoma.
The
Origin of Melanoma
Melanoma is a malignant
tumor that originates in melanocytes, the cells which produce the pigment
melanin that colors our skin, hair, and eyes and is heavily concentrated in
most moles. The majority of melanomas, therefore, are black or brown. However,
melanomas occasionally stop producing pigment. When that happens, the melanomas
may no longer be dark, but are skin-colored, pink, red, or purple.
Some
Are More Dangerous
A physician will tell
you whether the melanoma is early or advanced by describing it as either in
situ or invasive. "In situ" is Latin and means "in one site"
or "localized." Melanomas in situ occupy only the uppermost part
of the epidermis, the top layers of the skin.
Invasive melanomas are
the more serious, as they have penetrated more deeply into the skin and may
have travelled from the original tumor through the body.
They may crust on the surface or bleed. Many of them may arise in pre-existing moles.
The
ABCD Rule for Early Detection of Melanoma
Almost everyone has moles.
The vast majority of moles are perfectly harmless. A change in a mole's appearance
is a sign that you should see your doctor. Here's the simple ABCD rule to
help you remember the important signs of melanoma and other skin cancers:
- A is for ASYMMETRY: One-half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other.
- B is for BORDER: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
- C is for COLOR:The color is not the same all over, but may have differing shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of red, white, or blue.
- D is for DIAMETER: The area is larger than 6 millimeters (about ¼ inch -- the size of a pencil eraser) or is growing larger.
Other important signs
of melanoma include changes in size, shape, or color of a mole or the appearance
of a new spot. Some melanomas do not fit the ABCD rule described above, so
it is particularly important for you to be aware of changes in skin lesions
or a new skin lesion.
Other warning signs are:
- A sore that does not heal
- A new growth
- Spread of pigment from the border of a spot to surrounding skin
- Redness or a new swelling beyond the border
- Change in sensation - itchiness, tenderness, or pain
- Change in the surface
of a mole - scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or the appearance of a bump or
nodule
