Melanoma: Prevention and Early Diagnosis

For those that don't know about melanoma, it is the most serious form of skin cancer. Melanoma can be treated successfully if they are caught in an early stage.

Most melanomas start in the pigment cells that produce the skins color. They can also be found in the eye and rarely in the soft membranes of the body, such as the nasal passages or in the mouth. About 70% of melanomas begin in or near an existing mole or dark spot on the skin. Some birthmarks can also develop into melanomas.

If melanomas are not detected at an early stage, they can spread to other parts of the body and can be a potentially lethal form of cancer. It is important to inspect your body for new moles or spots and for any existing ones that have changed in color or size.

An ordinary mole is even in color and has defined edges. They can be round or oval in shape. They can be raised or flat and are less than 1/4 inch in diameter. Melanomas have an irregular appearance and are usually larger than an ordinary mole. A sudden or continuous change in the appearance of a mole is a sign that you need to see a doctor. There is a rule, called the ABCD Rule, that will aid in the inspection of moles. These are as follows:

A - Asymmetry- One half is different from the other.

B - Border Irregularity- The edges are uneven, blurred or notched.

C - Color- The color is uneven. There may be some shades of brown, tan and black.

D - Diameter- The diameter is greater than 1/4 inch, which can be compared the width of a pencil eraser.Some other warning signs that you may have a melanoma are the color spreading into the surrounding area, redness or swelling beyond the mole, tenderness, itching, pain, bleeding, or if the mole appears to have a bump or nodule on it. If you see any of these during a self exam you need to see a doctor for further testing.

When you see the doctor, he may do a skin biopsy of the mole or spot. This is a sample taken to be tested. There are different methods that are used based on the size and location of the suspected area. These are:

Punch Biopsy - There is a special tool that the doctor will use that rotates and cuts through the layers of skin to get the sample.

Incisional and Excisional Biopsy - With this biopsy, a deeper sample is taken using a surgical knife to cut through the full thickness of the skin. With Incisional he will only take a portion of the tumor, with Excisional he will remove the entire tumor.

Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy - This is where he will use a thin needle to remove a very small tissue sample for testing. Although this isn't used on suspected melanoma, it is used on a large lymph node near the melanoma to see if it has spread.During these biopsies you will be given a local anesthetic. After the biopsy is performed, the sample will be sent to the pathologist or dermatologist where he will perform a microscopic examination of the tissue. This will confirm whether or not melanoma is present.

The highest risk factors for melanoma are fair skin, high exposure to the sun, severe sunburn, family history and a large quantity of moles (about 50 or more, or atypical moles). There are ways to minimize the risk of melanoma. Avoid direct sun exposure, especially between the hours of 10am and 4pm. Wear protective clothing, sunglasses or sun hat. Apply a sunscreen rated SPF 15 or higher. Avoid tanning beds or indoor sun lamps. Perform regular self examinations and see a doctor if you notice anything unusual.