What You Need to Know About Melanoma

Melanoma, also called malignant melanoma, is a form of skin cancer that starts from pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. Melanoma is most commonly found on the skin, although it can also develop in the mouth, intestines, or in the eyes (uveal melanoma).

It is estimated that roughly 99,780 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the United States in 2022, according to the American Cancer Society (about 57,180 cases are predicted for males and 42,600 for women).

The risk of melanoma increases with age. The average age a person is diagnosed is around 65 years old. Melanoma is also not uncommon in people under the age of 30. It's one of the most frequently diagnosed found in teenagers and young adults (especially young women).

Melanoma is far less common than other types of skin cancers. It is, however, more deadly since it is more likely to spread to other parts of the body if not detected and treated early.

In this blog post, we will be looking at the signs or symptoms that are also known as the ABCDEs of Melanoma.

SIGNS

The melanoma ABCDE acronym was developed to help the general public and clinicians recognize aspects in a skin lesion that may indicate signs of melanoma.

Asymmetry

Melanoma is often asymmetrical, which implies it does not have a regular shape or appearance. The shape of non-cancerous moles is usually uniform and symmetrical.

Border

Melanoma has irregularly shaped or poorly defined borders.

Color

Melanoma lesions are frequently multicolored or shaded.

Diameter

Melanoma spots are often greater than 6mm in diameter, around the size of a common pencil.

Evolution

Melanoma frequently changes its appearance, such as size, shape, and color. Melanoma, unlike most benign moles, changes over time. If you have a mole or a skin growth, keep an eye on it for any changes.

Read more: Skin Cancer 4 Effective, Lesser Known, Prevention Techniques

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Melanoma is the most severe form of skin cancer with the highest mortality risk. While it is dangerous skin cancer, if detected early, it can be treated. The different kinds of treatment options available are as follows:

Surgery

Patients diagnosed with local melanoma and those cases with regional melanoma are usually treated with surgery. During an operation, the tumor and a portion of the surrounding tissues are removed.

Radiation therapy

The use of high-energy x-rays or other radioactive particles to eliminate cancer cells is known as radiation therapy. A precise radiation therapy schedule with a defined number of treatments and dose of radiation, can be recommended by an oncologist. If you live in or around Florida, consider visiting us at ACTC. We provide state-of-the-art cancer treatment and we’re one of the most well-known cancer centers in Florida. We have some of the best Radiation oncologists in Florida working on our team.

Immunotherapy

This is also known as biologic therapy, which is a type of cancer treatment that works by boosting the body's natural defenses. It improves, targets, or restores the immune system function by using materials created by the body or in a laboratory. Immunotherapy has made significant progress in treating stage III and stage IV melanoma in recent years.

Targeted Therapy

This is a cancer-specific treatment that targets cancer-specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that promotes cancer development and survival. This treatment method prevents cancer cells from growing and spreading while causing minimal damage to healthy cells.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of medications to kill cancer cells by preventing them from growing, dividing, and producing new ones. Just like radiation therapy, a schedule is made for the number of sessions depending on the severity of cancer. ACTC is known for its state-of-the-art cancer treatment care and our team consists of some of the finest chemotherapy doctors in Florida.

A cancer diagnosis can catch anyone off guard. Melanoma or skin cancer is a diagnosis that affects everyone differently. It’s always better to be well-informed in case you or your loved ones are diagnosed.

If you are looking for a cancer treatment center near Florida, ACTC is one of the finest cancer treatment centers in Florida. Our doctors, specialists, and support personnel are caring, skilled, and experienced in the fields of medical oncology, radiation oncology, and hematology. We are committed to excellence, as well as the health, happiness, and, most importantly, the comfort and speed with which our patients progress.