Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, which begins in pigment-producing cells called melanocytes, and it can spread if not treated on time, as it spreads very fast, so early treatment can give faster and better results.
Have you stared at a mole and thought, “Is there something more to this?” Changes in the skin are very often ignored by people, but can cause many hazardous issues.
Knowing how to identify the key melanoma warning signs, recognizing the features of a cancerous mole, and knowing what to observe in photographs of skin lesions increase your odds of remaining healthy.
This blog covers what you need to know about melanoma skin cancer, including what type it is, along with its symptoms and more.
What is Melanoma?
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that forms from the melanocyte skin cells, which produce melanin, the pigment in the skin. Unlike other skin tumors that may develop slowly, melanoma tends to metastasize to other organs quickly if not treated promptly.
Melanoma occurs in the face, arms, and back, which are the areas most exposed to the sun, and also under the fingernails, the scalp, and parts of the mouth, which seem to have no relation to those areas.
There are different types of melanoma:
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Superficial spreading - Is the most frequent, radiating on the surface first.
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Nodular melanoma - More dangerous, looking like lumpy bumps.
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Acral lentiginous melanoma - More frequently occurring in darker skin, more often on palms and soles of feet, or under the nails.
Melanoma Symptoms
The biggest problem with melanoma is that the mole looks harmless and seems like not to worrying about, but here are symptoms to be careful about before it's too late
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A – Asymmetry: Normally, moles are symmetrical, so be careful and suspicious if your mole is not symmetrical.
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B – Border: Smooth borders are most likely kind, but blurred or irregular borders may indicate danger.
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C – Color: Be careful of several shades of brown, black, red, or even blue under one mole.
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D – Diameter: Anything over 6 mm needs to be assessed.
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E – Evolving: Moles that grow larger, change shape, or color are of serious concern
Other Warning Signs May Include:
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Consistent itching on a mole.
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Bleeding mole.
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A sore or spot that doesn’t heal.
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Dark streaks appear under a nail without any injury.
How to Know If a Mole Is Cancerous
It is sometimes very difficult to diagnose whether your mole is cancerous or not. The solution for this can be found through self-examination.
A mole may be suspicious if:
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When it looks different from the rest of your moles
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When it starts to change over time, like getting darker or irregular.
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It shows unusual colors like red, white, or multiple shades of brown/black.
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When it starts itching, aching, and bleeding
A cancer specialist in Gurgaon can examine the mole, and if needed, recommend a biopsy, the only reliable way to confirm if it’s cancerous.
Risk Factors That Increase Concern
Melanoma is not the same for everyone; there are many risk factors that you should be concerned about. The factors include:
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Sunburns are more likely to occur in those who have freckles or blonde or red hair.
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Constant sunburn, especially in early childhood.
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Risk of cancer from UV exposure
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Melanoma in the family or personal history.
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Immune suppression caused by disease or treatment.
It is important to book regular skin checks if you fall under any of these categories.
Prevention Tips
You can prevent melanoma if you're careful. These are some tips for you
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Use sunscreen every day.
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Avoid tanning and sun exposure
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Wear protective clothing when you are out
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Regular check-up for early detection
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Annual dermatology checkups.
Diagnosis - What Happens Afetr The First Visit?
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Skin Examination - The healthcare professional will carefully examine the mole with a dermatoscope to look for any suspicious changes.
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Biopsy - The mole will either be fully excised or partially excised and sent for microscopy to check for melanoma.
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Staging Tests - In the event melanoma is detected, further scans or imaging studies of the nodes may be done to determine the spread.
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Treatment Planning - In this stage, the clinician develops and suggests the plan of action, such as surgical intervention, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy.
Conclusion
Melanoma skin cancer may be aggressive, but it can be easily treated with early detection. You can detect the risks by finding yourself with the symptoms of melanoma, how to identify cancerous moles, and the use of skin cancer pictures to identify warning signs.
Your primary defense against melanoma is sun safety and skin check-ups. Consulting specialists regarding moles and skin changes, both are advised.
Consult Dr. Pooja Babbar, the best medical oncologist in Gurgaon, known for excellent expertise and treatment as she offers advanced diagnosis and treatment for skin cancers, including melanoma.
