Melanoma Symptoms
Melanoma is cancer of the cells that establishes skin color. It arises when these cells change and multiply aggressively. Melanoma, the most virulent form of skin cancer, is the seventh most common cancer in the United States and is increasing at faster rates than any other cancer.With these facts in mind you need to know some of the melanoma symptoms. Based on cancer patterns between 2000 and 2002, the U.S. National Cancer Institute predicts that 1 in 50 men and 1 in 75 women in the United States will acquire melanoma during his or her lifetime. In 1960, only 1 in 600 Americans was expected to develop this cancer.
Most people have between 10 and 30 moles on their body, and the vast majority of these moles are perfectly harmless. However, a change in a mole is a sign that you should see your doctor. Thinking about “ABCDE” can be very helpful.
- Asymmetrical skin lesion.
- Border of the lesion is irregular.
- Color: melanomas usually have multiple colors.
- Diameter: moles greater than 6 mm are more likely to be melanomas than smaller moles.
- Enlarging: Enlarging or growing moles
Other melanoma symptoms may include a scaling, oozing or bleeding mole, or a modification in the way a mole feels. It may become hard, lumpy, itchy, swollen or tender. Melanoma may appear as a new mole on the body.
In adult males, Melanoma Symptoms most often occurs on the trunk. In adult females, melanoma is most often found on the arms and lower legs. It is found most often in people with fair skin. African-Americans and people with dark skin are more likely to have melanoma on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. In some families, individuals have unusual moles, which may turn into melanoma more often than normal moles. These people are at increased danger of developing melanoma and should have regular medical examination to discover problems early.
Because melanoma can spread, it is important to determine as soon as possible whether a suspicious-looking area is cancer. The earlier melanoma is found, the earlier treatment can commence. A biopsy is the only way to make a definite diagnosis. If melanoma is discovered, the physician determines the extent of the disease. The stage is established on the thickness of the tumor, the depth of skin penetration, and whether or not the cancer has spread.