Melanoma
The most serious type of skin cancer, melanoma affects the cells that give our skin its color. Although it can spread easily, it is curable when treated early.
This cancer forms when the cells that make melanin grow abnormally or do not die when they should. These cells, called melanocytes, are found in our skin’s outer layer.
Melanoma typically begins in a mole or birthmark but can form in other tissues with pigmentation, such as your eye. When melanoma develops in the eye, it is called Intraocular Melanoma.
Protect yourself by avoiding overexposure from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Stay vigilant of any changes in your skin, especially if you have the skin disease Xeroderma pigmentosum, which makes you sensitive to light. You are also more likely to develop melanoma if someone in your family has been previously diagnosed with this specific type of cancer.
Recently Answered
- Q What should I know about caring for someone with soft tissue melanoma?
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Caring for someone with soft tissue melanoma, or clear cell sarcoma, involves supporting them in whatever ways you can. Treatment can be physically draining, so it's important to care for their overall health by providing a nutritious diet and making... Full Answer
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- Q What are the symptoms of mucosal melanoma?
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Symptoms of mucosal melanoma depend on the location of the cancer. In most cases, mucosal melanoma will cause discolored skin growths, but since they form in areas that are mostly hidden, this isn't a noticeable symptom. The most visibly noticeable... Full Answer
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- Q How do medications treat soft tissue melanoma?
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Most of the time, medications that treat soft tissue melanoma are used in chemotherapy. In chemotherapy, strong drugs are either taken by mouth or injected into the veins to enter the bloodstream and kill cancerous cells. This is an especially useful... Full Answer
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- Q What are the symptoms of soft tissue melanoma?
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Symptoms of soft tissue melanoma may not be noticeable. Soft tissue melanoma, or malignant melanoma of soft parts, usually develops in the limbs, most commonly the legs. Tumors usually develop in tendons and other soft tissue found deep within the body.... Full Answer
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- Q What are the symptoms of polypoid melanoma?
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Symptoms of polypoid melanoma usually include new growths on the skin. These dome-shaped growths are often darkly-colored, but they may be light brown or light pink. Polypoid melanoma growths usually appear quickly out of nowhere and grow very quickly,... Full Answer
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- Q Should I talk to my doctor about my mucosal melanoma symptoms?
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Generally, once you start to notice symptoms of mucosal melanoma, the cancer is quite advanced. For this reason, it's very important to talk to your doctor if you notice any symptoms that you think may be caused by mucosal melanoma. Suspicious symptoms... Full Answer
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- Q Should I talk to my doctor about my stage 3 melanoma symptoms?
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Stage 3 melanoma has already begun to spread past your skin into the rest of your body, so it's important to talk to your doctor as soon as you notice any symptoms. Suspicious symptoms that may suggest stage 3 melanoma include unusual new skin growths or... Full Answer
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- Q Should I talk to my doctor about my stage 4 melanoma symptoms?
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In stage 4 melanoma, cancer has already spread past your skin into the rest of your body, so it's important to talk to your doctor as soon as you notice any symptoms. Suspicious symptoms that may suggest stage 4 melanoma include classic symptoms of... Full Answer
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- Q Should I talk to my doctor about my lentigo maligna melanoma symptoms?
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If you notice symptoms of lentigo maligna melanoma, it's best to see your doctor. Symptoms that may suggest lentigo maligna melanoma include large, tan, asymmetrical patches on areas of sun-exposed skin, most often on the fact, neck, and hands. Lentigo... Full Answer
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- Q Should I talk to my doctor about my stage 1 melanoma symptoms?
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Stage 1 melanoma is still relatively treatable since it hasn't spread too far. However, because it's already begun to spread and will continue to other parts of the body very quickly, it's important to talk to your doctor as soon as you notice any... Full Answer
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