What is melanoma skin cancer?

Melanoma skin cancer is the most serious form of skin cancer. If it is diagnosed and treated while it is still thin and limited to the outermost skin layer, it is nearly 100% curable. However once it advances and metastasizes to other parts of the body, it is difficult to treat and is often terminal. In the course of the past 10 years, the number of cases of melanoma has increased more rapidly than that of any other cancer. Around 51,000 new cases are reported to the American Cancer Society each year, and the probability of more unreported cases also exists.

Well malignant melanomas are generally small brown-black or larger multicolored patches, plaques or nodules with irregular outline. For early detection, one must keep in mind that a mole is suspicious if it is

• Getting bigger  
• Changing shape, particularly getting an irregular edge  
• Changing colour - getting darker,becoming patchy or multi-shaded   
• Itching  
• Bleeding or becoming crusty  
• Looks inflamed

You should consult a doctor straight away. 

Melanoma cancers fall into four basic categories. Three of these begin in situ and sometimes become invasive; the fourth, most dangerous is invasive from the start. It is handy to recognize the names and characteristics of each type.

1. Superficial spreading melanoma

is the most common type, accounting for about 70 percent of all cases. As the name suggests, it travels along the top layer of the skin for a fairly long time before penetrating more deeply. The first sign is the appearance of a flat or slightly raised discolored patch that has irregular borders and is somewhat geometrical in form. The color varies, and you may see areas of tan, brown, black, red, blue, or white. Sometimes an older mole will change in these ways, or a new one will arise.

2. Lentigo maligna

bears similarity to the superficial spreading type, as it also remains close to the skin surface for some time, and usually appears as a flat or mildly elevated mottled tan, brown, or dark brown discoloration. This type of in situ melanoma is found generally in the elderly, arising on chronically sun-exposed, damaged skin on the face, ears, arms, and upper trunk.

3. The third type, acral lentiginous melanoma, also spreads superficially before penetrating. However it is quite different from the others, as it usually appears as a black or brown discoloration under the nails or on the soles of the feet or palms of the hands. This type of melanoma is often found in dark-skinned people and hence common amongst African-Americans and Asians.
4. Unlike the other types, nodular melanoma is usually invasive at the time it is first diagnosed. The malignancy is recognized in the form of a bump. The color is often black, but occasionally is blue, gray, white, brown, tan, red, or skin tone.



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