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Our Expert on Cancer
Q: What is melanoma and what does it look like?Ask Our Expert About Skin Cancer and Melanoma
About Our Expert
Paul J. Mosca, M.D., Ph.D.
Practicing Medicine Since 2002 Education B.S. with Distinction in Chemistry, magna cum laude, 1987, Duke University Residency in General Surgery Duke University Medical Center Board Certification Board certified in General Surgery Honors and Awards Phi Beta Kappa, 1986 A: Normally, your cells grow and die in a very organized and controlled manner. Cancer occurs when this process goes awry, allowing cells to grow and multiply excessively and eventually invade other areas of the body. When this happens to your skin, the largest organ of your body, changes in your skin’s appearance occurs. Such a change may look like a mole, bump or thickening, or a change in the quality (for example, color or texture) of your skin. Each year over 1 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the United States. Although the numbers are staggering, the good news is that most skin cancers are curable if detected early. The best way to do this is by examining your skin on a regular basis. The three common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. While basal cell carcinomas are the most common type of skin cancer, they are almost always be cured if they can be completely removed. In contrast, malignant melanoma (or simply, “melanoma”) commonly spreads to lymph nodes or other parts of the body, and the likelihood of dying from melanoma is directly related to how advanced the tumor is at diagnosis (how thick the tumor is, and whether it has spread). Each type of skin cancer tends to have a characteristic appearance (see Link for photographs), but can take on atypical (unusual) appearances. For example, malignant melanoma usually appears dark brown or black, has an irregular shape, and is raised and/or large (see ABCD, below). However, it can appear as a skin-colored bump on the skin (amelanotic melanoma), and it can even arise in a mole that has been present since childhood. It can arise underneath the nails (subungual melanoma), on the scalp, or in areas that are not commonly exposed to direct sunlight. This means that it is very important to look not for moles, but also any type abnormal areas of the skin with a persistent or progressive growth or concerning change (for example, bleeding). Any suspicious patch of skin that persists for several weeks should prompt a visit to your family doctor or dermatologist. Nonetheless, the most deadly of skin cancers, malignant melanoma, usually does begin as an area of skin that looks like a suspicious mole (nevus), so it is very important to watch for the development of new or changing moles. Many people have freckles, birthmarks or moles on their skin. Most of these are normal and therefore do not harbor cancer (are “benign”), but the key to detecting abnormalities is to know what you are looking for. A helpful tool that can remind you about the some of the warning signs of melanoma is the ABCD method. Here is what this means: Asymmetry: Most skin cancers are not symmetrical. In other words, the mole is not round, but rather has an uneven or irregular shape. Border: The borders of the mole are not smooth, but rather jagged or notched. Color: Most moles are one shade, usually brown. If your mole consists of various colors or shades of brown, black or other colors, skin cancer may be present. Diameter: Melanoma tends to grow larger than regular moles. Watch for any that appear be larger than _ inch (6 mm) in diameter, or about the size of a pencil eraser. Although most skin cancers are painless, some people do experience itching and tenderness at the site. You’ll also want to be on the look out for any bleeding, oozing or crusting on or around the mole. Sometimes a melanoma is accidentally shaved or scratched off, resulting in persistent bleeding or oozing from the site. Monitoring your skin carefully and notifying your doctor in a timely fashion about any concerning areas can help identify and treat a malignant melanoma as early as possible, and can even lead to the removal of some moles before they become a full-blown (invasive) melanoma. Catching and treating melanomas early translates into saving lives. So, remember to protect your skin from sun damage, and be sure to consult your doctor if you think you may have skin cancer. It could save your life! This page last updated 2/28/08 03:25 PM
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