What鈥檚 Melanoma? A Primer on This Dangerous Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in America. Melanoma skin cancer is the least common type, making up only 1 out of 100 skin cancers, according to . If 颈迟鈥檚 so rare, 飞丑补迟鈥檚 the big deal about melanoma?听
鈥淢elanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer,鈥 says Dr. Anna Pavlick, medical oncologist, skin cancer expert and director of the Cutaneous Oncology Program at 91成人导航 and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why 颈迟鈥檚 so important for people to get skin checks and to know what to look for when it comes to melanoma.鈥听
Understanding Melanoma Skin Cancer听
Skin cancers are named based on where they take root. Basal cell skin cancer starts in the basal cell layer, found in the lower part of the epidermis. Squamous cell carcinoma starts in the outer layer of skin, known as squamous cells. Melanoma begins in your body鈥檚 melanocytes. These skin cells produce melanin, which gives your skin a tan or brown color. When your body produces melanin, 颈迟鈥檚 more difficult for the sun to damage deep layers of your skin, but not impossible.听
While melanoma can occur on all exposed parts of the body, it often affects men鈥檚 chests and backs in the earliest stages. Women are more likely to have early-stage melanoma on their legs. In rare cases, melanoma occurs in the eyes or the moist lining of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, mouth or nose (mucous membranes).听
What Puts Your Skin at Risk听
Risk factors that increase the risk of melanoma include:听
- Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds can damage your skin鈥檚 DNA and affect your body鈥檚 production of skin cells.听
- Immunity issues. A weakened immune system reduces your body鈥檚 ability to identify and destroy cancer cells, including melanoma.听
- Lots of moles. Though not all moles develop melanoma, having a lot of existing moles increases the likelihood of future cancer.听
- Personal or family history. If you鈥檝e had any type of skin cancer or have a family history of melanoma, you may want to consider genetic testing. This helps identify genetic mutations that put you at higher risk.听
- Skin, hair and eye color. Melanoma often affects people with freckles, light skin that burns easily, blue or green eyes or blonde or red hair.听
Detecting and Treating Melanoma听
Diagnosing melanoma requires a skin exam and biopsy of the suspicious area. During the biopsy, your provider removes a small part of skin for laboratory testing. If cancer is present, imaging tests, such as a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, help determine if the cancer has spread.听
Early-stage melanoma may only require a surgical oncologist to remove the cancerous cells. If the cancer spreads, your care team may recommend additional treatment options, such as:听
- Chemotherapy听
- Immunotherapy
- Radiation therapy听
Paying attention to your skin can increase your odds of an early diagnosis. Look for any moles with one or more ABCDE symptoms:听
- Asymmetrical (the two sides are different shapes)听
- Border that is rough instead of smooth听
- Color that is inconsistent听
- Diameter larger than a pencil eraser听
- Evolving in shape, size or color over time听
鈥淎nytime you find something that doesn鈥檛 belong or feel right, get it checked out,鈥 Dr. Pavlick says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 always better to be safe than sorry, and 颈迟鈥檚 easier to cure cancer when 颈迟鈥檚 early than when 颈迟鈥檚 late.鈥听
Need help protecting your skin? at 91成人导航 today.