Melanoma is a type of skin cancer, which develops in the cells called melanocytes. These cells are responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives color to the skin. In women, melanoma is most often seen in the lower legs, while the most common site in men is the back.
Melanoma is responsible for the majority of deaths related to skin cancers. The exact cause of melanoma is not clear, but it is usually associated with DNA damage resulting from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun.
Risk Factors:
Some of the factors that may increase your risk of developing melanoma include:
A fair skin tone due to less pigment (melanin), which means less protection from UV radiation
Living in areas closer to the equator or at a higher elevation where sun exposure is greater
Regular usage of tanning beds or lamp devices
One or more episodes of blistering sunburn during childhood
Presence of multiple moles or unusual moles on the skin
A family history of melanoma
A weakened immune system
People with no risk factors or darker skin can also develop melanoma. People with darker skin are more vulnerable to hidden melanomas in areas like the soles of feet and palms of hand that do not receive sun exposure.
How does cancer cause signs and symptoms?
Cancer is a group of diseases that can cause almost any sign or symptom. The signs and symptoms will depend on where the cancer is, how big it is, and how much it affects the organs or tissues. If a cancer has spread (metastasized), signs or symptoms may appear in different parts of the body.
As a cancer grows, it can begin to push on nearby organs, blood vessels, and nerves. This pressure causes some of the signs and symptoms of cancer. If the cancer is in a critical area, such as certain parts of the brain, even the smallest tumor can cause symptoms.
But sometimes cancer starts in places where it won’t cause any signs or symptoms until it has grown quite large. Cancers of the pancreas, for example, usually don’t cause symptoms until they grow large enough to press on nearby nerves or organs (this causes back or belly pain). Others may grow around the bile duct and block the flow of bile. This causes the eyes and skin to look yellow (jaundice). By the time a pancreatic cancer causes signs or symptoms like these, it’s usually in an advanced stage. This means it has grown and spread beyond the place it started the pancreas.
A cancer may also cause symptoms like fever, extreme tiredness (fatigue), or weight loss. This may be because cancer cells use up much of the body’s energy supply, or they may release substances that change the way the body makes energy from food. Cancer can also cause the immune system to react in ways that produce these signs and symptoms.
Sometimes, cancer cells release substances into the bloodstream that cause symptoms that are not usually linked to cancer. For example, some cancers of the pancreas can release substances that cause blood clots in veins of the legs. Some lung cancers make hormone-like substances that raise blood calcium levels. This affects nerves and muscles, making the person feel weak and dizzy.
How are signs and symptoms helpful?
Treatment works best when cancer is found early while it’s still small and is less likely to have spread to other parts of the body. This often means a better chance for a cure, especially if the cancer can be removed with surgery.
A good example of the importance of finding cancer early is melanoma skin cancer. It can be easy to remove if it has not grown deep into the skin. The 5-year survival rate (percentage of people who live at least 5 years after diagnosis) at this early stage is around 98%. Once melanoma has spread to other parts of the body, the 5-year survival rate drops to about 16%.
Sometimes people ignore symptoms. Maybe they don’t know that the symptoms could mean something is wrong. Or they might be frightened by what the symptoms could mean and don’t want to get medical help. Maybe they just can’t afford to get medical care.
Some symptoms, such as tiredness or coughing, are more likely caused by something other than cancer. Symptoms can seem unimportant, especially if there’s a clear cause or the problem only lasts a short time. In the same way, a person may reason that a symptom like a breast lump is probably a cyst that will go away by itself. But no symptom should be ignored or overlooked, especially if it has lasted a long time or is getting worse.
Most likely, symptoms are not caused by cancer, but it’s important to have them checked out, just in case. If cancer is not the cause, a doctor can help figure out what the cause is and treat it, if needed.
Sometimes, it’s possible to find cancer before having symptoms. The American Cancer Society and other health groups recommend cancer-related check-ups and certain tests for people even though they have no symptoms. This helps find certain cancers early, before symptoms start. For more information on early detection tests, see our document called American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Early Detection of Cancer. But keep in mind, even if you have these recommended tests, it’s still important to see a doctor if you have any symptoms.
Warning Signs and Symptoms:
Early detection helps in the treatment of melanoma. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, biologic and targeted therapies. If not detected early, melanoma can spread to other parts of the body and can be deadly.
Here are some of the warning signs and symptoms that you should not ignore.
New mole:
One possible sign is a new mole appearing unexpectedly after the age of 21 that is asymmetrical, has an irregular outline and is bigger than 6 mm or ¼ inch in diameter. There can be one or more new moles.
An unusual skin spot:
Another important warning sign of melanoma is a spot that looks different from all of the other spots on your skin (known as the ugly duckling sign).
Changes in a mole’s appearance:
Changes in color, diameter, shape or size of an existing mole, birthmark, or a pigmented area can also be a sign of melanoma.
It can increase in size and appear pearly, translucent, tan, brown, black or multicolored. Also, there can be symptoms like a scaly appearance, bleeding or oozing, or the appearance of a bump or nodule.
Change in sensation:
A particular spot or sore on the skin that continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab, erode or bleed should not be ignored. Changes in sensation in the forms of itchiness, tenderness or pain can also be warning signs of melanoma.
An open sore:
An open sore that does not heal within three weeks can be an early sign of skin cancer.
New pigmented area:
A new pigmented area or splotch that appears darker than your normal skin tone can be a cancer sign. The darker skin area may be very small.
If you notice any of these signs and symptoms on your skin, do not overlook them. Make an appointment with a dermatologist to have them checked. At the same time, take precautions to prevent skin cancer.
Preventive Tips:
Avoid going out in the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
If you need to go out in the sun, cover up properly with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
At least 30 minutes before going outside, apply a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Do this throughout the year.
For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours.
Examine your skin head-to-toe once every month. Remember that melanoma may not necessarily begin as a mole, it can occur on otherwise normal-appearing skin as well.
See your physician every year for a professional skin examination.
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