Skin cancers come in a variety of types including Basal Cell, Squamous Cell, Melanoma and Nodular Melanoma. The melanomas are by far the most serious forms of skin cancer. Basal Cell and Squamous Cell tend to occur on areas of the skin that are exposed to direct sunlight, while Melanomas are commonly found in moles that can grow anywhere on the body. In determining whether moles are cause for concern, Mole Melanoma Information Site offers these guidelines:
A: Asymmetrical – the shape of one half is different from the other half of the lesion
B: Borders – border or edges are irregular
C: Color – uneven coloration in shades of brown, black or tan
D: Diameter – increase in size
According to Cancerfacts.com Malignant Melanoma accounts for about 4% of skin cancer cases in the United States, but it accounts for 79% of skin cancer deaths.
Another Form of Melanoma
Another more serious form of Melanoma is called Nodular Melanoma and little information has been made available to the general public about this more deadly form of the disease. In fact, this type of Melanoma has caused the previous alphabetic reminders to expand information on D to include the diameter of a mole to be greater than 6 mms causing pain or sensitivity and to include the letter E for Evolution of a mole.
Most moles that are diagnosed as Melanoma tend to grow horizontally, however, some lesions tend to grow in a more vertical manner which causes the cancer to spread much more quickly into blood vessels and the lymphatic system. These are the Nodular Melanomas and they are much more dangerous and deadly than other types of Melanomas.
Anyone who has moles should definitely watch them closely for any changes in size, shape or coloration. An annual examination by a Dermatologist can help allay any anxieties as to whether moles have begun to make malignant changes and biopsies can be done on any moles that are in question. It is always far better to to be aggressive in diagnosing in order to prevent the need for aggressive treatment of Melanoma.
Treatment for Melanoma
Once Melanoma has been diagnosed, surgical excision is usually the first step in treatment. The excised mole is studied under a microscope to determine if it has clean edges. If so, nothing more would need to be done as long as the cancer has not metastasized or spread into deeper areas of the skin, blood vessels or lymphatics. Metastatic disease would be an indication for further treatments as recommended by an Oncologist.
Sources:
http://www.dermatology.org/molemelanoma/watch.html