Normally, the first place a melanoma tumor metastasizes to is the lymph nodes, by literally draining melanoma cells into the lymphatic fluid, which carries the melanoma cells through the lymphatic channels to the nearest lymph node basin. Lymphatic fluid is an important part of the immune system that bathes the tissues, and is responsible for carrying foreign invaders like bacteria to the lymph nodes, where these invaders are destroyed by the lymphocytes, the white blood cells.
Unfortunately, when melanoma cells are carried to the lymph nodes, they can potentially be carried beyond the nodes to distant organs. The five-year survival rate then drops to around 62 percent because of the high risk that the cancer can spread from the nodes throughout the body.
Once a tumor has spread to distant body sites such as organs, it is considered a stage IV melanoma, with an estimated five-year survival rate of only 18 percent in the U. These survival figures are improving every year because of new treatments some therapies are keeping as much as 40 percent of stage IV patients alive for years , but they are no substitute for early detection.
Every melanoma has the potential to become deadly, but the difference between an in situ melanoma and one that has begun to metastasize cannot be overstated. Limiting your exposure to UV radiation can help reduce your risk of melanoma. The risk of melanoma seems to be increasing in people under 40, especially women.
Knowing the warning signs of skin cancer can help ensure that cancerous changes are detected and treated before the cancer has spread. Melanoma can be treated successfully if it is detected early. Moles are usually harmless. They may contain hairs or become raised or wrinkled.
Talk to your doctor about any change in the color or size of a mole or if itching, pain, bleeding or inflammation develops. The first sign of melanoma is often a mole that changes size, shape or color. This melanoma shows color variations and an irregular border, both of which are melanoma warning signs.
Melanomas can develop anywhere on your body. They most often develop in areas that have had exposure to the sun, such as your back, legs, arms and face. Melanomas can also occur in areas that don't receive much sun exposure, such as the soles of your feet, palms of your hands and fingernail beds. These hidden melanomas are more common in people with darker skin. Normal moles are generally a uniform color — such as tan, brown or black — with a distinct border separating the mole from your surrounding skin.
Most moles begin appearing in childhood and new moles may form until about age By the time they are adults, most people have between 10 and 40 moles. Moles may change in appearance over time and some may even disappear with age. To help you identify characteristics of unusual moles that may indicate melanomas or other skin cancers, think of the letters ABCDE:.
Cancerous malignant moles vary greatly in appearance. Some may show all of the changes listed above, while others may have only one or two unusual characteristics. Melanomas can also develop in areas of your body that have little or no exposure to the sun, such as the spaces between your toes and on your palms, soles, scalp or genitals. These are sometimes referred to as hidden melanomas because they occur in places most people wouldn't think to check.
People with one or more risk factors are at increased risk of melanoma. Risk factors for melanoma are:. The melanin in naturally very dark skin offers some protection against the damaging effects of UV radiation and lowers the risk of skin cancer.
However, when skin cancer is detected in people with naturally very dark skin, it is often found at a later, more dangerous stage when the risk of death is much higher. The first sign of flat melanoma is usually a new spot or an existing mole or freckle that changes in appearance. Some changes might include:. Melanoma can grow very quickly. It can become life-threatening in as little as 6 weeks and, if untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body.
Melanoma can appear on skin not normally exposed to the sun. Nodular melanoma is a highly dangerous form of melanoma that looks different from common melanomas. Nodular melanomas are raised and are even in colour often red or pink and some are brown or black. This type of melanoma grows quickly and can be life-threatening if not detected and removed quickly. See your doctor immediately if you notice any of these changes.
It's important to get to know your skin and what is normal for you, so you will notice any changes quickly. Check all of your skin, not just sun-exposed areas. If you notice anything unusual, including any change in shape, colour or size of a spot, or the development of a new spot, visit your doctor immediately.
While melanomas usually occur on parts of the body that have been sunburned, they can sometimes start in parts of the skin or other parts of the body that have never been exposed to the sun. Melanomas on the arms and legs are usually detected earlier and have a better chance of successful treatment than melanomas on the body, neck or head which are usually detected at a later stage.
Once a melanoma is diagnosed and treated, you are advised to have regular skin checks, as there is an increased risk of further melanomas developing. Test results can take a few days to come back.
It is very natural to feel anxious waiting to get your results. It can help to talk to a close friend or relative about how you are feeling. You can also contact the Cancer Council on Tel. If a melanoma is diagnosed, further tests may be needed if surgery is planned or to see if the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. These tests may include:. Most people with melanoma need to have surgery. In some cases, melanomas may be treated by immunotherapy and targeted therapy, chemotherapy , and less frequently radiotherapy.
Your doctor will advise you on the best treatment for your cancer. This will depend on the type of cancer you have, where it is, how far it has spread, your general health and what you want. Melanomas are usually removed by surgery except when the melanoma is too advanced. The surgeon also removes some normal-looking skin around the melanoma.
This is called a 'margin of safety' and the margin varies from 5 mm to 2 cm. The purpose is to get rid of any cancer cells in the surrounding skin and prevent the melanoma from growing back at the same site. What does melanoma look like? How dangerous is melanoma? How widespread is melanoma? What are the four main types of melanoma of the skin? Risk Factors. Warning Signs. About Melanin Naturally darker-skinned people have more eumelanin and naturally fair-skinned people have more pheomelanin.
The estimated five-year survival rate for U. An estimated 7, people 4, men and 2, women will die of melanoma in the U. An estimated , cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the U. Of those, , cases will be noninvasive and confined to the top layer of skin in situ.
Superficial spreading melanoma What you should know: This is the most common form of melanoma. Lentigo maligna What you should know: This form of melanoma often develops in older people. Acral lentiginous melanoma What you should know: This is the most common form of melanoma found in people of color, including individuals of African ancestry. Nodular melanoma What you should know: This is the most aggressive type of melanoma. Sign up to receive our e-newsletter.
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