Malignant melanoma is a potentially serious and dangerous form of skin cancer in which the pigment-producing cells, known as melanocytes, in the skin undergo uncontrolled growth.
It can arise anywhere on the skin either from a pre-existing “mole” or spontaneously as new growth.
It often presents as a dark brown or black skin growth or ulcer. It may look like an ordinary “mole”. But unlike the common “mole”, it grows more rapidly.
- Its surface may have varying shades of colour.
- Its surface may be thick and irregular.
- Its margin may be irregular.
- It may show features of change over time.
What causes melanoma
Excessive exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun has been linked to causing melanoma. Genetic factors may also play an important role in melanoma development.
What are the risk factors for developing melanoma
Some risk factors include:
- Prior diagnosis of melanoma.
- Person with unusual atypical moles or dysplastic moles or many “moles”.
- Person with fair skin, red or blond hair, or lots of freckles.
- Excessive chronic exposure to the sun or a history of multiple painful sunburn episodes during childhood.
- Person with family history of melanoma (parent, sibling or child).
- Certain kinds of congenital (birth) “moles”.
People born with large “moles” (giant congenital naevi) are also at increased risks of getting melanoma.
Melanoma More Common In Caucasians
Melanoma is more common among Caucasians and less common in Asians and people with darker skin. It can occur at
any site, including the hand and foot.
Early Detection and Treatment of Melanoma
Melanoma has a tendency to spread to surrounding lymph nodes or other parts of the body, leading to complications and death. As such, early detection and treatment of this potentially grave condition is important.