Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Whether it's called malignant melanoma or simply melanoma, this cancer can metastasize (spread) rapidly. With early detection and proper treatment, melanoma has a high cure rate.
Early detection and treatment are possible because melanoma typically begins on the surface of the skin. It develops when melanocytes are damaged, which causes these cells to grow uncontrollably. As melanoma develops where melanocytes occur, this cancer can begin on the skin, under a nail, and even in an eye or on a mucous membrane.The type of treatment a doctor will recommend to a melanoma sufferer depends on the stage of of melanoma a patient has since each stage demands different procedures however in every treatment of each stage surgery is needed to to remove skin around the tumur, if the melanoma spreads to nearby lymph nodes doctors may recommend a sentinel lymph node biopsy.
However even after surgery patients with previous history of melanoma still have a high rate of melanoma reoccurrence . A study reviewing the data of 3310 patients with Stage I and Stage II melanoma revealed a 2.8% risk of developing a second melanoma after 5 years, and a 3.6% risk after 10 years. Therefore, screening for melanoma recurrence through skin self-examination and regular medical skin examinations is of the utmost importance.
Melanoma begins on the surface, but it can grow deep into the skin and beyond. It can reach the blood and lymphatic vessels, and from there it can spread through the body, causing a life-threatening condition. Anyone can get melanoma, and the number of Americans who develop melanoma continues to rise. Melanoma is diagnosed in people of all skin colors.
It is not clear how all melanomas develop, but exposure to ultraviolet radiation clearly plays a role, especially in fair-skinned people. A history of sunburns, especially blistering sunburns as a child