Explain why melanoma is so dangerous

Melanoma can be most effectively treated in its early stages when it is still confined to the top layer of the skin. Shop Online. Contact Us. Cancer information What is cancer? Common cancer symptoms Facts and figures Explore What is cancer?

Jump to:. Jump to section. About melanoma. Screening and Early Detection. What is melanoma? It is estimated that 16, new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in Australia in Melanoma symptoms Often melanoma has no symptoms, however, the first sign is generally a change in an existing mole or the appearance of a new spot.

These changes can include: colour - a mole may change in colour, have different colour shades or become blotchy size - a mole may appear to get bigger shape - a mole may have an irregular shape, may increase in height or not be symmetrical elevation - the mole may develop a raised area itching or bleeding.

Other symptoms include dark areas under nails or on membranes lining the mouth, vagina or anus. Causes of melanoma Melanoma risk increases with exposure to UV radiation from the sun or other sources such as solariums, particularly with episodes of sunburn especially during childhood.

Melanoma risk is increased for people who have: unprotected UV radiation exposure a history of childhood tanning and sunburn a pattern of short, intense periods of exposure to UV radiation having a lot of moles naevi — more than 50 on the body and more than 10 above the elbows on the arms increased numbers of unusual moles dysplastic naevi depressed immune systems a family history of melanoma in a first degree relative fair skin, a tendency to burn rather than tan, freckles, light eye colour blue or green , light or red hair colour had a previous melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancer.

Diagnosis of melanoma Melanoma can vary in the way it looks. Physical examination If you do notice any changes to your skin, your doctor will examine you and carefully check any spots you have identified as changed. A - Asymmetry, irregular B - Border uneven or scalloped edges C — Colour differing shades and colour patches D - Diameter usually over 6mm E - Evolving changing and growing. Biopsy If the doctor suspects that a spot on your skin could be melanoma, an excision biopsy is carried out with the removal of the whole spot.

Checking lymph nodes Your doctor may feel the lymph nodes near the melanoma to see if they are enlarged as melanoma can sometimes travel via the lymph vessels to other parts of your body. Read more. Treatment for melanoma Staging Test results will show whether you have melanoma and if it has spread to other parts of the body. Early-stage melanoma Surgery wide local excision can be curative for thin melanomas and requires that the melanoma be removed as well as more normal-looking skin around the melanoma usually between 5mm and 10mm.

Advanced melanoma Treatment for advanced melanoma, where the cancer has spread to lymph nodes, internal organs or bones, may include surgery, radiation therapy targeted therapy or immunotherapy.

Most pigment cells develop in the skin. Melanomas can develop anywhere on the skin, but certain areas are more at risk than others. In men, it is most likely to affect the chest and back. In women, the legs are the most common site. Other common sites of melanoma include the face.

However, melanoma can also occur in the eyes and other parts of the body, including — on very rare occasions — the intestines. They also estimate that around 7, people will die due to melanoma in The stage of a cancer at diagnosis will indicate how far it has already spread and what kind of treatment will be suitable.

One method of assigning a stage to melanoma describes the cancer in five stages , from 0 to Read more about late stage melanoma here. There are four types of melanoma. Learn more about each type in the sections below. This is the most common type of melanoma, and it often appears on the trunk or limbs.

The cells tend to grow slowly at first before spreading across the surface of the skin. This is the second most common type of melanoma, appearing on the trunk, head, or neck. It tends to grow quicker than other types, and it may appear as a reddish or blue-black color. Nodular melanoma is also the most aggressive type. Learn more about it here. This is less common and tends to develop in older adults, especially in parts of the body that have had excessive sun exposure over several years, such as the face.

It usually grows slowly and is less dangerous than other types of melanoma. This is the rarest kind of melanoma. It appears on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or under the nails. Since people with darker skin do not typically get other types of melanoma, these tend to be the most common type of melanoma in those with darker skin types.

However, scientists do know that people with certain skin types are more prone to developing melanoma. It accounts for 10 to 15 percent of all cases. How and where it grows: The tumor grows deeper into the skin more rapidly than other types and is most frequently found on the torso, legs and arms, as well as the scalp in older men.

It is usually invasive at the time it is first diagnosed. What it looks like: Nodular melanoma is often recognized as a bump on the skin, usually blue-black in color, but not uncommonly can also appear as a pink to red bump.

Reviewed by: Allan C. Halpern, MD Ashfaq A. Want to spread the word about skin cancer awareness? Complete the form and you may end up on our website. Melanoma Overview. A Dangerous Skin Cancer. What is a melanocyte? What does melanoma look like?

How dangerous is melanoma? How widespread is melanoma? What are the four main types of melanoma of the skin? Risk Factors. Advanced stages of nodular melanoma are difficult to successfully treat. Early stages of melanoma are treated by using surgery to remove the melanoma and some of the healthy skin surrounding the melanoma. Your doctor may also recommend a lymph node biopsy so they can see if any cancer cells have spread to your lymph nodes.

Melanoma that has spread to lymph nodes or internal organs requires other treatment methods, such as:. Melanoma becomes more difficult to treat and cure once it has begun to spread internally.

If melanoma is found, diagnosed, and treated before it begins to spread, the 5-year survival rate is percent. Make an appointment with your doctor for a regular skin cancer screening each year. Early detection is the best treatment. If you have a concern that you may have skin cancer, talk to your doctor. This cancer is very treatable if caught early. What does skin cancer look like? View photos of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and Kaposi sarcoma.

Stage 4 is the most advanced phase of melanoma. See what the symptoms of melanoma looks like and learn about your treatment options. Learn about amelanotic melanoma, including prognosis and tips for reducing risk. Melanoma is a rare but often dangerous type of skin cancer. Learn how it's staged and treated here. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States.

There are various types of skin cancer, melanoma being the most serious type. Learn how…. Melanoma is described by stages, which give an idea of how far the cancer has spread. Find out what the stages mean for prognosis and survival rates.