Melanoma 101: Understanding the Basics

As skin cancer becomes a more concerning health risk, it is vital to acknowledge the potential danger of melanoma. This dangerous skin cancer can quickly spread out of control if not detected in its early stages.

Melanoma: What Is It and What Causes It?

Melanoma is the most severe form of skin cancer, caused by an abnormal proliferation of melanin-producing cells. While this type of malignancy typically occurs on your epidermis, it has been known to appear in other parts, such as the eyes and nose/throat regions—albeit rarely.

What causes melanoma is still not known for certain. However, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds has been linked to an increased risk of developing this type of skin cancer. Therefore, reducing exposure to UV radiation is one way to lower your chances of getting it.

Melanoma: What Are the Symptoms?

While melanomas can occur on any part of the body, they are more commonly found in regions exposed to the sun, such as the arms, legs, and back. Therefore, it is essential for individuals of all skin tones, especially those with dark complexions, to look for any possible indicators under fingernails or hidden spots like feet and palms that do not get much direct sunlight.

It's crucial to remember that melanoma can affect anyone, regardless of skin type or location. You should immediately consult a doctor if you observe any modifications or inconsistencies in moles or other skin growths, whether in sunny or shady areas. Early detection is critical to treating and managing melanoma successfully.

The initial indications and manifestations of melanoma typically include:

• Alteration to an existing mole's appearance
• The emergence of a fresh, discolored, or peculiar-looking lesion on the skin

Melanoma can be a worrying condition; however, it is essential to note that the development of this skin cancer often begins beyond moles. It may start with seemingly normal-looking and otherwise healthy-looking patches on the skin's surface.

Normal Moles: What to Know

It's important to be knowledgeable about certain key aspects of moles. Typically, normal moles have a uniform color, like black, brown, or tan, and well-defined borders that distinguish them from the neighboring skin. They tend to be round or oval and usually measure no more significant than the size of a pencil eraser at around 6 millimeters in diameter.

Generally, people start developing moles during childhood and can continue having new ones until they reach around 40 years old. At that stage, it's normal for an individual to have 10 to 40 moles on their body, although they may alter or fade away with age.

Unusual Moles That Could Signify Melanoma

Knowing the ABCDEs of abnormal moles can assist you in identifying potential signs and symptoms related to melanoma or other skin cancers. Familiarizing yourself with these characteristics is an essential step towards protecting your health.

• Asymmetrical. Identify moles of unusual shape as if two distinct features were combined. Uneven ratios and other irregular dimensions may indicate something more severe than a standard mole.
• Border. Stay vigilant for potentially cancerous moles bearing irregular borders or any uneven scalloping on the edges—these markings indicate malignant melanomas.
• Color. Examine growths for a range of tones and an odd splattering of shades.
• Diameter. Watch out for any moles larger than 1/4 inch, anything 6 millimeters or greater should be closely monitored. When in doubt, confer with your doctor regarding changes in the size and shape of existing skin features.
• Enlargement. Review any changes to moles periodically, as growth or size, color, and texture alterations could signify a condition shift. Also, beware of new indicators such as itchiness or bleeding that may arise—these warning signs are not to be ignored.

Melanoma: Hidden Areas to Check

While melanomas most frequently occur in areas exposed to the sun, they can also develop on parts of your body with little or no sunlight contact. This phenomenon is known as "hidden" melanomas and can be found in places such as between your toes, on the palms of your hands, soles of your feet, scalp, and genitals.

It is important to remember that darker skin tones are more likely to experience hidden melanomas than others, so even if you don't think you've been exposed to much sun, it is still imperative to keep an eye out for new moles or changes in existing ones. Early detection and treatment are key when dealing with this type of cancer.

Among the hidden melanomas are:

1. Under a nail

Acral-lentiginous melanoma is an elusive yet dangerous form of skin cancer that can be present on the undersides of fingernails or toenails. This rare variant tends to manifest more frequently in individuals with darker pigmentations, such as those from Asian and African backgrounds.

2. Inside the mouth, digestive tract, urinary tract, or vagina

Mucosal melanomas are often hard to detect due to their resemblance to other conditions. They primarily form in the mucous membrane that comprises various organs, such as the mouth, nose, and esophagus, as well as body cavities like the vagina and anus.

3. In the eye

Ocular melanoma, commonly known as eye melanoma, often arises in the uvea—a layer of cells beneath the white exterior of your eyes. Though they may not be immediately perceptible to you or those around you, vision changes can sometimes occur due to this condition. Unfortunately, an ophthalmological examination can only identify them.

Melanoma: How Is It Diagnosed?

Melanomas typically exhibit distinctive characteristics that can be easily noticeable to the naked eye. However, a biopsy is a definitive method for diagnosing cancer. During this procedure, the doctor will use a blade to extract the entire growth, which will then be sent for further examinations of its cells in the laboratory.

If melanoma is confirmed, doctors will need to stage or determine the extent of the cancer. To do so, they'll examine factors such as tumor thickness and whether or not it has spread to nearby lymph nodes. Imaging tests may also be recommended if an advanced level of melanoma is present and there's suspicion that it has spread elsewhere in the body.

To assign a stage, cancer stages 0 through IV are utilized. At stages 0 and I, the treatment success rate is high, but as you increase levels, chances of full recovery become lower despite existing treatments. In stage IV cases, cancer has reached other organs, such as the lungs and kidneys.

Uncovering the Hidden Threat of Melanoma

While protecting yourself from developing melanoma entirely is impossible, you can lower your risk by avoiding UV exposure and wearing the right sunscreen outdoors. Regularly checking your body for changes in moles and visiting a doctor if any areas of concern are spotted is also essential in ensuring that you keep tabs on your skin health.

It is noteworthy that even though melanoma is a prevalent form of cancer, early detection, and treatment can enhance survival rates. The better we understand our risk factors, the more prepared we are to prevent or control skin cancer.

Brian Alba, Editorial Staff

Brian's passion for writing drives him to create informative and thought-provoking content. He aims to inspire and educate readers with his work. He is committed to perfecting his craft and pushing the limits of what can be achieved with writing.