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.