Of the three
most common types of skin cancer, melanoma is the most serious and deadly.
However, if caught early, it has an excellent prognosis.
Melanoma can
develop anywhere on the body, but it most often appears on the chest and back
in men and on the lower legs in women. The face and neck are also common areas.
This type of cancer originates in the melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells
in the skin, which is why melanomas typically appear dark brown or black.
However, they can also show up as blue, pink, or even white. These lesions
often have irregular shapes, borders, colors, or surfaces.
Exposure to
ultraviolet (UV) light, from the sun, tanning beds, or sun lamps puts you at an
increased risk for developing melanomas. If left undetected and untreated,
melanoma can quickly spread to other parts of the body.
In addition
to your annual skin examination with a board-certified professional at our
Charlotte office, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends performing
regular self-checks using the ABCDE method. Additionally, if you have many
moles, a history of dysplastic nevi, or a family history of melanoma, it’s
important to have regular skin checks with your dermatologist and perform
monthly self-exams. If you notice a spot or mole that exhibits any of the
following characteristics, consult a dermatologist promptly.
- A - Asymmetry
in shape
- B - Irregular
borders
- C - Color
variations from one area to another
- D - Diameter
larger than that of a pencil eraser
- E - Evolution
in its size, shape, or color from a previous check
Limiting your sun exposure and safeguarding your
skin from UV rays can reduce your chances of developing melanoma.
At Metrolina
Dermatology, our team of board-certified dermatologists are prepared to complete
a skin biopsy to examine any areas that are suspected to be melanoma. The
tissue sample will be forwarded to a dermatopathologist to check for the
presence of cancer cells.
If cancer is
detected, a treatment plan will be created to begin treatment of the melanoma. The
treatment for melanoma will be dependent on the type of melanoma you are
diagnosed with and its stage - 0, I, II, III, or IV.
Treatment
options may include (but are not limited to) surgical excision, Mohs surgery,
immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation.
As an
affiliate of DOCS Dermatology Group, Metrolina Dermatology also has access to a
network of on-going cutting-edge research studies and innovative clinical
trials.
THE TREATMENTS BELOW CAN HELP WITH MELANOMA:
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