Melanoma

Overview

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that grows in your melanocytes and is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It may develop anywhere on the body but mainly in parts which are exposed to the sun.

Signs and Symptoms

Unusual changes in the colour of the mole, Mole that increases in size, Moles with irregular shapes or borders, Itchy mole, Mole that bleeds, Thickening of the mole, A new unusual-looking growth on the skin

Common Causes

Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds, Genetic factors such as family history of melanoma

Risk Factors

Fair skin especially skin that burns easily but does not tan, Having many moles or unusual-looking moles , Large number of freckles, Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds, Living closer to the equator or in higher latitudes, Family history of melanoma, History of severe sunburn, History of melanoma, History of radiotherapy treatment , Weakened immune system due to conditions such as organ transplants or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection

Investigation Techniques

Medical history, Skin examination, Biopsy procedures such as punch biopsy, excisional biopsy or incisional biopsy, Sentinel lymph node biopsy in order to know if cancer has spread to any lymph nodes, Blood tests, Computerised tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

Treatment and Prevention

Surgery to remove the lesion and the affected lymph nodes, Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy, Targeted therapy, Immunotherapy, Can be prevented by wearing sunscreen, avoid direct sunlight during the middle of the day, wear protective clothing and avoid tanning beds