Melanoma is caused by the overproduction of certain skin cells called melanocytes. This cell overgrowth usually starts on an existing mole on the skin or as a new skin growth. Generally, these growths are found in areas of skin that are exposed to sunlight, although they may be found in other parts of the body, including internal mucous membranes like those found in the esophagus and urinary tract. If left untreated, melanoma can spread rapidly to other parts of the body, so it is considered one of the more serious types of skin cancer.
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.
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Riverside Cancer Care Center answeredSee All 2 AnswersThese and other symptoms may be caused by melanoma. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:
A mole that:
- Changes in size, shape, or color
- Has an irregular edge or borders
- Is more than 1 color
- Is asymmetrical (if the mole is divided in half, the 2 halves are different in size or shape)
- Itches
- Oozes, bleeds, or is ulcerated (a hole forms in the skin when the top layer of cells breaks down and the underlying tissue shows through)
- Change in pigmented (colored) skin
- Satellite moles (new moles that grow near an existing mole)
This answer is based on source material from the National Cancer Institute.
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Amelanotic melanoma is a type of melanoma, which is a skin cancer. Like most melanomas, amelanotic melanoma is related to the cells that make melanin, which is the protective pigment that gives skin color. However, unlike other types of melanoma that cause dark, mole-like growths, the irregularly-shaped growths caused by amelanotic melanoma usually have no color (hence the name "amelanotic," or without melanin), or are pink, white, or flesh-colored. This can make treatment difficult since people often ignore these seemingly non-threatening lesions until the disease has already progressed quite far. Any type of melanoma may have amelanotic lesions.
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Treatment options for uveal melanoma depend on several factors, including the size and location of the tumor and the age of the person affected. A tiny tumor may require watchful waiting, monitoring the progress of the disease to see if it requires intervention. But the most common treatment is surgery. The type of surgery depends on the severity of the cancer. If the tumor is small, doctors will remove just the growth and a little bit of the surrounding tissue. If the tumor is larger, or causing complications like glaucoma, doctors may have to remove the entire eye, and in some cases, the eyelid and surrounding nerves and muscles.
Other types of treatment may be used to try to kill cancerous cells. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays directed toward the growth to destroy the cancerous cells. Photocoagulation uses a laser to destroy tumors. Thermotherapy uses heat in the form of ultrasound, microwaves or lasers to kill the melanoma cells. Targeted therapy uses chemicals designed specifically to target cancer cells by their genes. Some patients may take part in clinical trials in which new treatment options are explored.
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Treatment for stage 4 melanoma is usually more aggressive than earlier stages, because the cancer has spread from the original site. Treatment may involve surgical removal of the growth and the lymph nodes in the nearby area, as well as removal of other melanomas. However, this won't get rid of all the cancer. Doctors may recommend other treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy (using the body's immune system to fight cancer cells), or targeted therapy (targeting cancer cells by their particular genetic makeup), all of which which can help kill cancerous cells that have spread to other parts of the body. Side effects of these treatments can be harsh, and their success may depend on several factors, such as age and overall condition. Clinical trials may be recommended. Palliative care may be recommended as well, to improve quality of life if intervention is not expected to help.
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Currently there are no reliable blood tests to detect melanoma. The best thing you can do is stay out of the sun, use sunscreen, perform regular skin exams, and see your dermatologist. -
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The ability of a melanoma to spread is dependent on a number of factors, some of which we know and some we don't know. In general, the later the stage, the greater the risk of metastasis.
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Dr. Stuart A. Linder, MD , Plastic Surgery, answeredSee All 2 AnswersThe most common form of melanoma is superficial spreading. It represents 70% of all cases as it spreads through the epidermis, most commonly on trunk regions on men, legs in women, and back of both sexes. Nodular melanoma is approximately 20% and grows deeper, found on the head and neck and trunk areas. It is more common in men than women. Lentigo maligna melanoma accounts for 5% of cases in older adults on the face with sun exposure. Acral lentinginous melanoma is found most commonly in African Americans and Asians appearing on palms, soles, and under the nails. -
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RealAge answeredThe following characteristics may indicate potential skin cancers:
- Asymmetry: Marks that are not generally round with a uniform shape may be cause for concern.
- Border: Precancerous and cancerous lesions are more likely to have jagged, irregular borders.
- Color: A mark that changes color, becoming lighter or darker, or one that is not uniform in color may be dangerous.
- Diameter: Pay careful attention to any mark that is larger than 1/4 inch in diameter; that's about the size of a pencil eraser.
- Elevation: Take note of moles or markings that become raised or develop an uneven texture.
In addition to the signs above, a mole that itches, bleeds, doesn't heal, or grows very fast requires a professional medical evaluation. A person knows his or her skin better than anyone and should schedule a visit with a healthcare provider if anything about the skin seems unusual.
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For stage IV metastatic melanoma, life expectancy is around 8 to 10 months. In this video, Philip Friedlander, MD, an oncologist at The Mount Sinai Medical Center, discusses survivability rates for melanoma.