Malignant MELANOMA
Melanoma is the most dangerous of skin cancers. Melanoma arises form pigment producing cells called melanocytes, and is responsible for majority of skin cancer-related deaths.
Risk Factor
- Family history of melanoma, skin cancer, pancreatic cancer, astrocytoma
- Personal or family history of Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome
- Personal history of malignant tumor or melanoma
- Previous sun exposure, sunburns
- Diagnosis of dysplastic or atypical nevi
- Presence of irregular, prominent moles on skin
- Changes in size, color, symmetry, bleeding, ulceration or other, noted in moles
What are the warning signsof melanoma?
- The first sign of melanoma is usually a change in the look of an old mole.
- Another sign is the arrival of a new, odd-looking mole.
- A mole that itches or bleeds should also be checked by your doctor.
- Warning signs to look for in an old or new mole can be remembered as 'ABCDE'
Early detection and removal of Melanoma is crucial - if caught and removed early it is curable
A-B-C-D is what you need to look for:
Asymmetry—One half of the shape is not identical to the other. | |
Border—The edges seem to be irregular, notched, ragged, or blurred, and the color of the growth may spread to influence surrounding skin. | |
Color—The color is not even and may contain a number of different colors, including brown, black and tan, as well as pink, blue, red, grey, or white. |
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Diameter—There is usually a change in size. Most often, melanomas are bigger than the eraser on a pencil, which is roughly a quarter of an inch or 5 millimeters. |
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E for Elevation or Enlargement: the mole is raised above the skin. A mole that is enlarging is probably the most important clue that it might be melanoma.
Self-examination with image documentation of moles on your own body is important, however self-diagnosis and self-denial is a dangerous behavior.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Melanoma
Diagnosis of suspicious mole is done by either
- Complete excisional biopsy or
- Surgical excision with appropriate margins
Standard treatment options for melanoma will be based on pathology findings
- For early-stage melanoma complete surgical excision is a definitive treatment.
- Melanomas with stage I-II might require Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
- Stages III and IV require advanced care and management
Majority of patients that were eventually diagnosed with advanced stages of malignant melanoma knew about presence of the skin lesion a long time before their diagnosis was made.
If you find any of the A-B-C-D-E changes listed above or, if you have questions
or concerns about a mole or dark spot on your skin,
schedule an appointment for a skin exam with IVSI
Call: (847) 518-9999