The Four Whats in Four Minutes of Melanoma
- samueltanmd
- Dec 27, 2022
- 2 min read
#1 - What it is
Melanoma, also known as "a mole" or "strange dark splotch," is a type of skin tumor caused by the malignant transformation of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for the dark hues of the skin.
Contrary to popular belief, melanomas do not always develop from moles; they can also develop from normal appearing skin and are not always black. It can also appear on the skin as a purple, red, or even skin-colored blemish.
#2 - What to be aware of
The most critical thing to be mindful of is the rate of change either in shape, size, or color. The American Academy of Dermatology created a handy memory technique called the “ABCDE” of melanoma.
Asymmetry, border (not smooth), color (uneven color with different shades), diameter (greater than diameter of a pencil eraser tip), evolving (in size, shape or color).
#3 - What to do
If you notice any unusual lesion that contains any of the aforementioned ABCDE’s, and especially if rapidly growing, contact your dermatologist or primary care provider right away.
If you have a history of high sun exposure, prior family history of melanoma, or > 5-10 moles, it would be worthwhile to perform occasional self examinations to quickly identify any new/unusual skin “spots.”
As always, use at least “SPF 30” and “broad-spectrum” sun lotion products.
#4 - What to expect
The first step would be to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of melanoma, this often entails taking a small sample of the lesion and looking under a microscope to determine the type of cell.
The second step would be to determine if the cells have spread and if so, how far. This is known as “staging.” The less deep the cells are found, the better the outcome.
If the melanoma is suspected to have traveled to different parts of the body (i.e metastasize), you will likely undergo a third step. This step may require taking a sample of a lymph node where cancer cells may have first spread. Another method to assess spread is via computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, or positron emission tomography scan.
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