Contents
What is Melanoma?
Melanoma is less common but most serious type of skin cancer, which develops in the cells (melanocytes) that produce melanin the pigment that gives your skin its color. It may begin in a mole (skin melanoma), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines.Stages of melanoma
There are five stages of melanoma based on the thickness and other features of the tumour.
* Stage 0- the tumour is limited to the outer layer of the skin and has not spread.
* Stage 1- very early melanomas, less than 2 mm thick
* Stage 2- The tumour is thicker than 2 mm.
* Stage 3- The melanoma has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
* Stage 4- This is an advanced stage of melanoma. The cancer has spread to another part of the body such as the lungs, liver, brain or abdomen.
Recovery Time
Most cases of stage 1 melanoma are cured with a minor surgical operation to remove the tumour (described above). For people with deeper melanomas then there is still a chance of cure. People with advanced melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body are not likely to be cured, but treatment can often slow down the progression of the cancer.Diagnosis
Melanoma is diagnosed by:Physical examination- including medical history
Excision biopsy- under local anaesthetic, the suspected melanoma and some of the surrounding skin is removed. The sample will be examined in a laboratory for signs of cancer.
FAQs prepared by doctor
1. What is melanoma?Melanoma is less common but most serious type of skin cancer, which develops in the cells (melanocytes) that produce melanin the pigment that gives your skin its color.
2. How does it begin?
It may begin in a mole (skin melanoma), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines.
3. What are the stages of melanoma?
There are five stages of melanoma based on the thickness and other features of the tumour.
Stage 0- the tumour is limited to the outer layer of the skin and has not spread.
Stage 1- very early melanomas, less than 2 mm thick
Stage 2- The tumour is thicker than 2 mm.
Stage 3- The melanoma has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage 4- This is an advanced stage of melanoma. The cancer has spread to another part of the body such as the lungs, liver, brain or abdomen.
4. What to do when one is suffering from such disease?
Avoid getting burned and protect your skin when the sun is at its most intense.
Spend time in the shade between 11 am and 3 pm
Wear a hat and sunglasses
Use sunscreen with at least SPF 15 (the higher the better), with good UVA protection (the more stars the better)
5. When shall one visit a doctor?
Consult a doctor if one develops a new spot or an existing mole or freckle changes in appearance associated with itchiness, tenderness, or pain, scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or the appearance of a bump or nodule. If the surrounding skin show redness, swelling, or small new patches of color around a larger lesion then also consultant visit is necessary. If a firm red lump that may bleed or develops a crust presents with pain, swelling or chronic itching of the spots then one shall visit doctor immediately.