Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that occurs in the cells that produce the pigment melanin. These cells are called melanocytes and the pigment lends color to the skin. People with fair skin, those who face excessive sun exposure and individuals with a family history of this condition have an increased risk of developing it. This article tries to provide an understanding of the symptoms, treatment methods, and chances of prevention of melanoma in detail. The disease is considered to be a dangerous form of skin cancer owing to its tendency to progress rapidly but treating it is easier if it is detected early.

To determine the stage of cancer, the doctor needs to determine its thickness and check the extent of its spread in the body. Melanoma exists in different ways — usually as a new spot on the skin or as an already existing mole that changes size, color or shape. The diagnosis requires a visual examination along with a skin biopsy by a skin specialist or a dermatologist. Once diagnosed, melanoma can be treated through surgery and sometimes through medication only.

Melanoma: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Symptoms
Changes in a mole can be characterized by ABCDE

• Asymmetry: The shape of one half doesn’t match the other
• Border: The edges are often rough, blurred and irregularly outlined
• Color: The color is uneven and shows shades of red, grey, pink and white
• Diameter: The size usually changes and tends to increase. Melanomas are usually larger than the eraser of a pencil (¼ inch or 5 millimeters).
• Evolution: It is the first and the most common symptom. Evolution of a new mole or a change in the size, color, shape of an existing mole. New moles mostly have a black or blue-black area.

Treatment
Generally, early localized melanoma is treated through surgery. Otherwise, there are five methods that can be used to treat melanoma

• Surgery: This involves removing the lesion surgically when the melanoma is still in its early stages along with some healthy tissues alongside. The surgery might also include a biopsy of a nearby lymph node to evaluate the extent of melanoma in the body.
• Immunotherapy: At a more advanced stage, immunotherapy is induced so that the drugs can stimulate the patient’s immune system to attack the cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy: This involves administering drugs orally or intravenously to kill the rapidly growing cancer cells. Unlike targeted therapy, in chemotherapy, healthy cells are also harmed.
• Radiation therapy: Rather uncommon for melanoma, radiation therapy is used in select cases.

Prevention
While all the risk factors cannot be prevented, one can protect themselves from being exposed to UV rays from the sun by following the measures below:

• Avoiding the sun during mid-day (between 10 am to 2 pm)
• Applying sunscreen
• Using shades or umbrellas while outside in the sun
• Seeking shade to reduce sun exposure
• Using protective clothing to cover exposed skin
• Avoiding tanning

Self-examination is important by regularly checking the ABCDE warning signs of melanoma and reviewing them with a dermatologist in case any symptoms are experienced.