Melanoma
Melanoma or "black mole cancer" is the name given to the most
dangerous form of skin cancer. The reason melanoma is so dangerous is that once it grows
to a certain thickness, it metastasizes or spreads throughout the body. After melanoma has
spread to the internal organs there is little that can be done and death follows shortly
after. This type of cancer tends to occur in men and women in the prime of their lives.
Sunlight is thought to be the most important cause of melanoma. There
has been an alarming increase in the number of new cases of melanoma each year. Melanoma
is increasing in quantity more than any other cancer. This may be a result of the
depletion of the ozone layer. The ozone is that part of the atmosphere that blocks
ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light (a fraction of sunlight which penetrates clouds) is
thought to be a major cause of melanoma. It is estimated that one person in 100 in the
United States will develop melanoma during their lifetime. Although the number of new
cases (per 1,000 people) is higher in all three counties in Delaware compared to the
national average, the highest rate is in Sussex county. This is thought to be related to
the increased occupational and recreational sun exposure in Sussex county residents. In
Delaware these statistics are higher for both white males and females. Melanoma occurs
most frequently between the ages of 20 and 60, but can occur at any age. It is now the
most common type of cancer in women from ages 25-29.
Melanoma is seen mainly not in outdoor workers, but in indoor professionals. This is considered to be due to the fact that indoor workers get bursts of sunlight on weekends and holidays. It is thought that these short bursts of sunlight are responsible for the development of this cancer. People who are light in skin tone, fair hair, and who have a family member who has had a melanoma need to be particularly careful and should have a complete skin exam each year. A history of melanoma in the family leads to a greater chance of developing a melanoma. The person at greatest risk is the light-skinned, indoor worker who gets bursts of sunlight during weekends or holidays.
Melanoma in its early stages looks like a mole. Moles are harmless skin
growths that may be flat or protruding. They vary in color from pink flesh tones to dark
brown or black. Everyone has moles; some of us have more than others. The number of moles
one has depends on our genes and the amount of sun exposure during childhood. Moles
sometimes appear in "crops," especially during the early teens. Rarely, a mole
will become cancerous. If this occurs, the cancer is called a melanoma. To help
distinguish moles from melanomas, dermatologists have developed criteria known as the
ABCD's: A stands for asymmetry, B stands for border, C stands for color, and D stands for
diameter. If you have a mole that is asymmetrical (when you look at the mole, the two
halves do not look the same), the border is irregular and not perfectly round, the color
is many different shades, and the diameter is larger than 1/4 of an inch, then you should
see your doctor. Also, if you notice a mole is marching out of step with your other moles
(changing more than your other moles), it needs to be checked by your doctor. In men,
melanoma most commonly occurs on the upper back, and in women it is more common on the
legs.
A person can avoid getting melanoma by avoiding sunlight and wearing a
sunscreen of
SPF 15 or higher while in the sun. People who work indoors should be
especially careful. If you work indoors and only get bursts of sunlight on vacations and
weekends, it is very important to wear sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher. Melanomas are
usually treated by surgical removal. After a
melanoma is removed the cancer is examined under a microscope by a pathologist. The
pathologist will measure the thickness of the melanoma. The earlier a melanoma is removed,
the thinner it is and the greater the chance for a cure. The longer a melanoma stays on
your body, the thicker it gets and the greater the risk of death, even if it is cut out.
To reduce the risk of dying from melanoma, you need preventive medicine. Aim your efforts
at risk reduction measures such as avoiding exposure to sunlight, especially between 10 am
and 2 p.m., and checking your moles once a month to see if any are changing more than your
other moles.
The skin is unique because it is one of the few organs we can see. Close visual inspection of your skin once a month, avoidance of sunlight, and the regular use of sunscreen can help prevent death from melanoma.
Home | African, Asian, Hispanic | Dermatology Services | Disease Information | Treatment Information | Laser | Liposuction | Skin Surgery | News and Opinion
The Skin Site Ô