Melanoma (patient information)

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What is melanoma?

Melanoma is a cancer that starts in the melanocytes. Although much less common than basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers, melanoma causes most skin cancer deaths. Usually, the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, shape, color or feel of a mole. The ABCD rule can help you tell a normal mole from an abnormal mole. Melanoma can be cured only if it is diagnosed and treated early. When spreads to other parts of the body, the outlook could be very bad.

How do I know if I have melanoma and what are the symptoms of melanoma?

Usually, the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, shape, color or feel of a mole. The ABCD rule can help you tell whether the mole is normal or not. Moles that have any of these signs should be checked by your doctor.

• Asymmetry: It means one half of the mole does not match the other half.

• Border irregularity: The edges of the mole looks ragged, blurred, or notched.

• Color: The color over the mole is not the same and may be shades of tan, brown, or black, and sometimes patches of pink, red, blue, or white.

• Diameter: The mole is larger than about 1/4 inch, although sometimes melanomas can be smaller.

• The mole is growing or changing in shape or color

Some melanomas do not fit the "rules" above and may be hard to tell if the mole is normal or not. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell the doctor so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

Who is at risk for melanoma?

Clinical data has suggested that the development of melanoma is related to several factors.

• Sunlight(solar UV radiation): Too much exposure to sunlight(solar UV radiation) is thought to be the biggest risk factor for most melanomas.

• Moles: Although as a benign skin tumor, the mole increases the chance of getting melanoma, espcially for people with many moles.

• Genetic factors: Epidemiological data show that Whites with fair skin, freckles, or red or blond hair have a higher risk of melanoma than other race.

• Immunosuppressive factors: Clinical surveys suggest patients treated with Immunosuppressive medicines such as transplant patients, have an increased risk of developing melanoma.

• Previous melanoma: A person with previous history of melanoma has a higher risk of getting another melanoma.

• Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP): Patients with XP are at higher risk of melanoma because thay can not repair damage caused by sunlight.

• Age: Epidemiological data suggest that melanoma can be found both in old people and in younger people.

• Gender: Men have a higher chance of developing melanoma than women.

How to know you have melanoma?

Regular self-examinations are key to early detection of melanoma. Any time skin cancer is suspected, go to see a dermatologist.

• Biopsy: At first dermatologists detect skin cancer through a visual examination of the skin and mucous membranes. Then, if malignancy is suspected, a biopsy will be performed. It is the most important measure for the diagnosis of melanoma.

• Images tests such as computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) scan, ultrasound and chest-x-ray: The goal of these image tests are to help find out the extent of the melanoma and determine the stage of the disease.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your dermatologist if symptoms of melanoma develops.

Where to find medical care for melanoma?

Directions to Hospitals Treating melanoma

Copyleft Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/melanoma.html

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_2_1X_What_is_melanoma_skin_cancer_50.asp?sitearea=CRI