CONDITION

MELANOMAI

(MEH-LUH-NOW-MUH)

WHAT IS MELANOMA?

Melanoma is widely considered the most serious type of skin cancer. This condition develops in the cells that produce Melanin – in other words the pigments that give our skin its color. The proper melanoma treatment is most often surgery with the goal of removing the melanoma and the surrounding tissue.

This skin condition can develop anywhere on the body, and most often develops in areas that have had exposure to the sun and ultraviolet (UV) rays.

However, melanoma can also occur in areas that don’t typically receive much sun exposure, such as the soles of the feet, on palms of the hands, or the fingernail beds.

WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF MELANOMA?

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight, tanning beds, or lights increases the risk of developing Melanoma. However, this means eliminating exposure to UV rays can help reduce your risk of Melanoma.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MELANOMA:

The common signs and symptoms are often:

– A change in the appearance of an existing Mole (Melanoma does not always begin as a mole, as it can also occur in normal-looking skin.)

– The development of an unusual-looking growth on the skin.

If there is a diagnosis of melanoma, the next step is to determine the extent of the cancer.

This is usually done by examing the thickness of any melanoma, determining if it has spread to your lymph nodes, and looking for signs of cancer beyond the skin. Figuring out these factors will have an effect on the melanoma treatment.