Melanoma

Cancer is made of changed cells that grow out of control. The changed (abnormal) cells often grow to form a lump or mass called a tumor. Cancer cells can also grow into (invade) nearby areas. And they can spread to other parts of the body. This is called metastasis.

Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer. It is much less common than other types of skin cancer. But it is more likely to spread to other parts of the body. It starts in skin cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes are what give skin its color.

Melanoma can happen anywhere on the skin, but it usually occurs in sun exposed areas. Men usually get it on the part of the body between the shoulders and hips called the trunk. They may also get it on their head or neck. Women usually get it on their arms and lower legs. Sometimes melanoma may occur even on areas of the skin that are never exposed to sunlight. It may even occur in the eye, under a fingernail or toenail, or in the nose and sinuses, or in other parts of the body.

A risk factor is anything that may increase your chance of having a disease. The exact cause of someone’s cancer may not be known. Risk factors can make it more likely for a person to have cancer. Some risk factors may not be in your control. But others may be things you can change.

The most common risk factors for melanoma include:

• Older age.

• Male sex.

• Greater amount of time spent in the sun.

• Use of tanning booths and sunlamps.

• Many moles or abnormal ones.

• Certain features. In particular, fair skin and light hair put you at risk.

• Family history of melanoma.

• Certain inherited conditions, such as xeroderma pigmentosum.

• Personal history of skin cancer.

• Weakened immune system.

Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk factors for melanoma and what you can do about them.

There is no sure way to prevent melanoma but there are some things that may help lower your risk for it, such as:

• Wearing sunscreen.

• Not using tanning booths and sunlamps.

• Practicing sun safety. Limit time in the sun when UV light is strongest (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.).

• Wearing sunglasses that have 100% UVA/UVB protection.

• Wearing clothing to shade your face and cover your body.

• Doing skin checkups.

You may be able to spot skin cancer early when it’s easier to treat by doing a regular skin self-exam. Become familiar with the way your skin and moles look. Talk with your healthcare provider about any bumps, spots, or other marks that appear on your skin.

The first symptom of melanoma is often a change in a mole, or the appearance of a new mole. The ABCDE rule can help you tell a normal mole from one that might be melanoma. The rule is:

• Asymmetry. One half of the mole does not match the other half.

• Border irregularity. The edges of the mole are ragged or irregular.

• Color. The mole has different colors in it. It may be tan, brown, black, red, or other colors. Or it may have areas that appear to have lost color.

• Diameter. The mole is bigger than 6 millimeters across, about the size of a pencil eraser. But some melanomas can be smaller.

• Evolving. A mole changes in size, shape, or color.

Other symptoms that may be melanoma include:

• A mole that itches or is sore.

• A mole that oozes, bleeds, or becomes crusty.

• A mole that looks different from your other moles.

• A sore that doesn't heal.

• A mole or sore that becomes red or swells at its edges or beyond.

Many of these may be caused by other health problems. But it is important to see your healthcare provider if you have these symptoms. Only a healthcare provider can tell if you have cancer.

You may be able to spot melanoma early when it’s easier to treat by doing a regular skin self-exam. Become familiar with the way your skin and moles look. Talk with your healthcare provider about any bumps, spots, or other marks that appear on your skin.

If your healthcare provider thinks you may have melanoma, you will need certain exams and tests. Your healthcare provider will ask you about your health history, your symptoms, risk factors, and family history of disease. He or she will also give you a physical exam. You may also have a biopsy.

A biopsy is the only way to confirm cancer. Small pieces of tissue are taken out and checked for cancer cells. Your results will come back in about 1 week.

After a diagnosis of melanoma, you may have other tests. These help your healthcare providers learn more about your cancer. They can help determine the stage of the cancer. The stage is how much and how far the cancer has spread (metastasized) in your body. It is one of the most important things to know when deciding how to treat the cancer.

Once your cancer is staged, your healthcare provider will talk with you about what the stage means for your treatment. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider to explain the stage of your cancer to you in a way you can understand.

Your treatment choices depend on the size, location, and stage of your melanoma. It also depends on test results. The goal of treatment may be to cure you, control the cancer or help ease problems caused by cancer. Talk with your healthcare team about your treatment choices, the goals of treatment and what the risks and side effects may be. Other things to think about are if the cancer can be removed with surgery and your overall health.

Types of treatment for cancer are either local or systemic. Local treatments remove, destroy, or control cancer cells in one area. Surgery and radiation are local treatments. Surgery is the most common way to treat melanoma. Systemic treatment is used to destroy or control cancer cells that may have traveled around your body. When taken by pill or injection, chemotherapy is a systemic treatment. You may have just one treatment or a combination of treatments.

Melanoma may be treated with:

• Surgery.

• Radiation therapy.

• Chemotherapy.

• Immunotherapy.

• Targeted therapy.

Talk with your healthcare providers about your treatment options. Make a list of questions. Think about the benefits and possible side effects of each option. Talk about your concerns with your healthcare provider before making a decision.

Surgery to remove your melanoma will always result in a scar. Talk with your healthcare provider about the size and type of scar you may end up with.

Cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation can damage normal cells. This can cause side effects such as hair loss, mouth sores, and vomiting.

Talk with your healthcare provider about side effects you might have and ways to manage them. There may be things you can do and medicines you can take to help prevent or control side effects.

Many people feel worried, depressed, and stressed when dealing with cancer. Getting treatment for cancer can be tough on the mind and body. Keep talking with your healthcare team about any problems or concerns you may have. Work together to ease the effects of cancer and its symptoms on your daily life.

Here are tips:

• Talk with your family or friends.

• Ask your healthcare team or social worker for help.

• Speak with a counselor.

• Talk with a spiritual advisor, such as a minister or rabbi.

• Ask your healthcare team about medicines for depression or anxiety.

• Keep socially active.

• Join a cancer support group.

Cancer treatment is also hard on the body. To help yourself stay healthier, try to:

• Eat a healthy diet, with as many protein foods as possible.

• Drink plenty of water, fruit juices, and other liquids.

• Keep physically active.

• Rest as much as needed.

• Talk with your healthcare team about ways to manage treatment side effects.

• Take your medicines as directed by your team.

Your healthcare provider will talk with you about when to call. You may be told to call if you have any of the below:

• New symptoms or symptoms that get worse.

• Signs of an infection, such as a fever.

• Side effects of treatment that affect your daily function or don’t get better with treatment.

Ask your healthcare provider what signs to watch for and when to call. Know how to get help after office hours and on weekends and holidays.