What is Melanoma Cancer?

Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the cells called melanocytesm they make the pigment melanin. Melanin gives skin its natural color and when exposed to the sun melanocytes produce more pigment, causing skin to tan or darken. Clusters of melanocytes can form benign (noncancerous) tumors called moles. Melanoma may begin in a mole (skin melanoma) but can also begin in other pigmented tissues such as in the eye or intestines.

Types

There four basic types of melanoma, however there are also other less common types that can occur anywhere in the body including the eye, called ocular melanoma or intraocular melanoma. Rarely, melanoma may arise in the meninges, the digestive tract, lymph nodes ore other areas where melanocytes are found.

• Superficial spreading melanoma: It is the most common type of melanoma. It spreads along the epidermis for a period of months to years before penetrating more deeply into the skin. The melanoma appears as a flat or barely raised lesion, often with irregular borders and variations in color. Lesions most commonly appear on the chests of men, the legs of women and the upper back of both sexes.
  
  
• Nodular melanoma: This melanoma grows deeper more quickly than other types of melanoma. It is most often found on the chest or back. The melanoma usually appears as a blue-black, dome shaped nodule, although 5% of lesions are pink or red. Nodular melanoma is more common in men than women.
  
  
• Lentigo maligna melanoma: This type of melanoma typically takes many years to develop. It occurs most often in older adults, usually on the face and other chronically sun-exposed areas. These melanomas are generally large, flat, tan-colored lesions containing differing shades of brown, or as in other melanomas, black, blue, red, gray or white.
  
  
• Arcal lentiginous melanoma: This is the most common melanoma in African Americans and Asians; although this may also occur in light-skinned (Caucasian) individuals. The disease typically appears on the palms of hands, soles of feet or under the nails. Lesions are usually tan, brown or black, with variations in color and irregular borders.
  
  
• Metastatic Melanoma: when melanoma spreads and reaches the lymph nodes, it may mean that cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs, or brain. The cancer cells in the new tumor are still melanoma cells, and the disease is called metastatic melanoma rather than liver, lung or brain cancer.
  

Risk Factors

Factors that may increase of melanoma cancer include:

• Fair skin: The pigment melanin protects the skin from the damaging effects of UV light. Having less pigment (melanin) in your skin means you have less protection from damaging UV radiation and are at a higher risk for melanoma cancer, however, melanoma can also develop in people with darker complexions.
  
  
• A history of sunburn: one or more sever, blistering sunburns as a child or teenager can increase your risk of melanoma as an adult.
  
  
• Family history: If a close relative, such as a parent, child or sibling has had melanoma you have a greater chance of developing it too. Also, individuals who have had melanoma may also be at a in increased risk for developing the disease again.
  
  
• Excessive UV light exposure: Exposure to UV radiation, from the sun or tanning beds, can increase the risk of developing melanoma.
  
  
• Living closer to the equator or at a higher elevation: The sonís rays are more direct closer to the equator; therefore people living there experience higher amounts of UV radiation. Also, if you live at a higher elevation, youíre exposed to more UV radiation.
  
  
• Moles: Even though it is normal to have moles, having more than 50 ordinary moles on your body indicates an increased risk of melanoma.

Symptoms

Often, the first symptoms of melanoma are a change in an existing mole or the development of a new, unusual-looking growth on your skin. Melanoma doesnít always begin as a mole. It can also occur on otherwise normal-appearing skin. Characteristics of unusual moles that may indicate melanomas follow the A-B-C-D guide developed by the American Academy of Dermatology:

• Asymmetrical shape: The shape of one half does not match the other.
  
  
• Border: Shapes are often irregular in outline. Pigment may spread to surrounding areas.
  
  
• Color: Color is uneven. Shades of black and brown or other colors.
  
  
• Diameter: There is a change in size, usually an increase. Melanomas are usually larger than the eraser of a pencil (1/4 inch or 5 millimeters).
  

Other suspicious changes in a mole may include scales, itching, spreading of pigment from the mole into the surrounding skin, oozing or bleeding.

Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any skin changes that seem unusual.