Look Out For The Early Signs Of Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can be treated successfully when discovered early enough. This cancer develops in melanocytes which produce melanin-a pigment that causes the skin to darken due to sun exposure. Melanoma can spread to other areas in the body leading to serious illnesses and sometimes death. Many patients are known to experience the early signs of melanoma but mistake them for another skin condition. If the cancer is detected early enough then it can be cured by surgery.

Melanoma can occur at any age even though statistics show that it is rare among kids and teenagers. Studies have shown that melanoma occurs because of excessive exposure to the UV in sunlight. People with fair skin

or anyone with severe sun burns or a family history of melanoma, are at risk of developing this condition. However, the symptoms of melanoma may be seen in areas that are not exposed to the UV radiation like the fingernails, vagina, eye and mouth. If it is not treated it spreads quickly to other areas of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream.

One of the early signs of melanoma is the appearance of a new mole or freckle or when the existing ones suddenly change like becoming an itchy mole. For men, melanomas are likely to occur on the back and for women; they are likely to occur on the leg. If you witness any change in an existing mole or freckle its best to consult your doctor. The doctor will check to see if the mole is not symmetrical or has an irregular border and whether there are any variations in color.

So what does melanoma look like? Melanomas can be of irregular shape, varying color and a diameter that is more than 7mm. Other symptoms of melanoma are inflammation, oozing, change in sensation of the lesion or an itchy mole.

The process of diagnosing melanoma can be somewhat difficult. The symptoms of this condition are not always obvious which is why you must consult your doctor whenever you see a suspicious mole or freckle on your skin. If the lesion is suspected to be cancerous then it is going to be surgically removed and then sent to the laboratory for further tests. Diagnosis of melanoma can be done through a skin biopsy. In this case, the

doctor will remove tissue from the skin and then examine it under a microscope. The dermatopathologist will evaluate and make the diagnosis of melanoma once the lesion has been removed. After the detailed evaluation is done, the specialist will release a pathology report which is given to the doctor who will determine the best treatment for melanoma.

Another method used to diagnose melanoma involves examination of the lymph nodes. This will be done if the physician suspects that the melanocytes have travelled beyond the initial stage. The doctor will examine the sentinel node and if any melanoma cells are present in this area, the patient will have to undergo a second surgery so that it is removed. These examinations will also help to determine how much the melanoma has spread.

Hopefully you now know the answer to the question ‘What does melanoma look like?’ Since you can answer this question now, evaluate your situation and seek medical advice immediately.

Understanding The Different Types Of Irregular Moles And When To Seek Treatment

Moles are likely to appear on the skin from early childhood until late adulthood. Most people are concerned about these moles because they tend to have an unsightly appearance. However, there are some suspicious

looking irregular moles that may be a cause of concern. There are certain symptoms that show when you

have cancerous moles. It is always best to approach a physician in case the mole starts to crack, bleed or become itchy and painful.

Moles are normal skin conditions and come in different sizes, shapes and colors. Some moles may even come and disappear with time without having to seek treatment. You can also find hair growing on a raised mole. When you approach the physician, the necessary tests will be conducted to ensure that the mole is not cancerous.

Moles can be defined as a group of cells (melanocytes) which grow together as a group over the skin. They form a specific pigment which adds color to the skin and will soon darken when exposed to sunlight or during pregnancy. A raised mole can occur anywhere on the skin but the most common areas are the hands, neck, face, back and ears, that is, areas which are mostly exposed to the sun.

Moles can appear after birth, and when they do they are referred to as congenital nevi or birth moles. Even though the condition is uncommon, these moles are more likely to develop into cancer, melanoma compared to other moles. The others which are likely to be cancerous moles are the ones which develop after the age of 20. Moles can cause no issue unless they start showing some significant changes.

When should you be worried about a mole? The most suspicious moles appear different in terms of color, size and shape. In many cases, moles are hereditary and are passed from one generation to the other. The

inherited moles can also be referred to as atypical nevi. Atypical moles should be a cause of concern because they are likely to develop into melanoma skin cancer. These moles are larger than average and some of them even have irregular shapes and colors. In case you experience any of these atypical moles then approach a skin specialist immediately. If you experience a painful mole, always visit a physician to determine whether there is an underlying issue.

Moles can be removed due to cosmetic reasons. The cosmetic procedure of removing moles is simple and

painless provided you seek the services of a reliable skin specialist. It is a quick solution to deal with normal moles and the patient is given a local anesthetic. In case it is a painful mole, the skin specialist will remove a segment in order to take it for further examination or biopsy. In case the mole is found to be cancerous then it should be removed completely by cutting it out and closing the wound.

There are also ways to prevent moles from forming on your skin. For a start, you need to limit sun exposure. Make sure you use sun block whenever you step outside. You also need to avoid sunburns as they can worsen moles on your skin. Most importantly, remember to visit a skin specialist if you begin to experience irregular moles on your skin. You may be having a serious underlying condition.