Melanoma: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Disease Insights: melanoma

Select a Disease:

Welcome to the ultimate guide on melanoma. Here, you'll find answers to the most common questions to help you or your loved ones understand and manage this condition better.

Description for melanoma

A serious type of skin cancer that develops in cells producing melanin.

Symptoms of melanoma

bleeding or oozing from mole, change in size or shape of mole, itchy skin, new or changing mole, pain around the mole

Precautions for melanoma

Avoid excessive sun exposure, Wear sunscreen regularly, Undergo regular skin checks, Follow prescribed treatment plan

Questions Covered:

what is melanoma?
What are the usual symptoms of melanoma?
causes of melanoma?
How do doctors usually figure out if someone has melanoma, diagnosis?

Answers:

Question: what is melanoma?

What is metastatic melanoma?
Melanoma is the rarest and most dangerous type of skin cancer. It begins in the melanocytes, which are the cells in your skin that produce melanin. Melanin is the pigment responsible for skin color.
Melanoma develops into growths on your skin, which often resemble moles. These growths or tumors may also come from existing moles. Melanomas can form on skin anywhere on your body, including inside the mouth or vagina.
Metastatic melanoma occurs when the cancer spreads from the tumor to other parts of your body. This is also known as stage 4 melanoma. Melanoma is the most likely of all skin cancers to become metastatic if not caught early.
The rates of melanoma have been increasing for the past 30 years. It's estimated that 10,130 people
will die from melanoma in 2016.

Question: What are the usual symptoms of melanoma?

Unusual moles may be the only indication of melanoma that hasn't yet metastasized.
Moles caused by melanoma may have the following characteristics:
Asymmetry: Both sides of a healthy mole look very similar if you draw a line through it. Two halves of a mole or growth caused by melanoma look very different from each other.
Border: A healthy mole has smooth, even borders. Melanomas have jagged or uneven borders.
Color: A cancerous mole will have more than one color including:
brown
tan
black
red
white
blue
Size: Melanomas are more likely to be larger in diameter than benign moles. They usually grow to be larger than the eraser on a pencil
You should always have a doctor examine a mole that changes in size, shape, or color because it can be a sign of cancer.
Symptoms of metastatic melanoma depend on where the cancer has spread. These symptoms usually only appear once the cancer is already advanced.
If you have metastatic melanoma, you may experience symptoms such as:
hardened lumps under your skin
swollen or painful lymph nodes
difficulty breathing or a cough that doesn't go away, if the cancer has spread to your lungs
enlarged liver or loss of appetite, if the cancer has spread to your liver or stomach
bone pain or broken bones, if the cancer has spread to the bone
weight loss
fatigue
headaches
seizures, if the cancer has spread to your brain
weakness or numbness in your arms or legs

Question: causes of melanoma?

Melanoma occurs due to a mutation in melanin-producing skin cells. Doctors currently believe that too much exposure to ultraviolet light either from sun exposure or tanning beds is the leading cause.
Metastatic melanoma occurs when the melanoma is not detected and treated early.
Risk factors
Several risk factors can contribute to developing melanoma. Those with a family history of melanoma have a higher risk than those who don't. Approximately 10 percent
of people who develop melanoma have a family history of the disease. Other risk factors include:
fair or light skin
a large number of moles, especially irregular moles
frequent exposure to ultraviolet light
Those who are older are more likely to develop melanoma than younger individuals. In spite of this, melanoma is one of the most common cancers in people under 30, especially in young women. After the age of 50, men have a higher risk of developing melanoma.
The risk of melanomas becoming metastatic is higher in those who have:
primary melanomas, which are visible skin growths
melanomas that aren't removed
a suppressed immune system

Question: How do doctors usually figure out if someone has melanoma, diagnosis?

If you notice an unusual mole or growth, make an appointment to get it checked by a dermatologist. A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in skin conditions.
Diagnosing melanoma
If your mole looks suspicious, your dermatologist will remove a small sample to check for skin cancer. If it comes back positive, they'll likely remove the mole completely. This is called an excisional biopsy.
They'll also evaluate the tumor based on its thickness. Generally, the thicker the tumor, the more serious the melanoma. This will affect their treatment plan.
Diagnosing metastatic melanoma
If melanoma is detected, your doctor will run tests to make sure the cancer hasn't spread.
One of the first tests they may order is a sentinel node biopsy. This involves injecting dye into the area the melanoma was removed from. The dye moves to the nearby lymph nodes. These lymph nodes are then removed and screened for cancer cells. If they're cancer free, it typically means the cancer hasn't spread.
If the cancer is in your lymph nodes, your doctor will use other tests to see if the cancer has spread anywhere else in your body. These include:
X-rays
CT scans
MRI scans
PET scans
Blood tests

Useful Articles on melanoma

Additional Information and Resources:

Conclusion & Takeaways

Learning about melanoma is the first step toward taking control of your health. By understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatments, you empower yourself to make informed decisions. Remember to consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice and support.