Melanomas often resemble moles
and sometimes may arise from them. They can be found on any area of the body,
even in areas that are not typically exposed to the sun.
Melanoma is often triggered by
the kind of intense, intermittent sun exposure that leads to sunburn. Tanning
bed use also increases risk for melanoma. Melanoma is the most dangerous of the
three most common forms of skin cancer. Melanomas can be curable when caught
and treated early
What is Merkel Cell Carcinoma?
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a
rare, aggressive skin cancer.
These tumours usually appear as
firm, painless lesions or nodules on a sun-exposed area (about half of the time
on the head and neck, and frequently on the eyelids).
Usually associated with a virus
called the Merkel Cell Polyomavirus, MCCs are believed to begin in Merkel cells
at the base of the epidermis. They most often arise on sun-exposed areas in
fair-skinned individuals over age 50.
MCCs are at high risk of
recurring and metastasizing throughout the body, so early detection and
treatment are crucial.
What are the warning signs of Skin Cancer?
·
An
open sore that does not heal, and may bleed, ooze or crust.
·
The
sore might persist for weeks, or appear to heal and then come back.
·
A
reddish patch or irritated area, on the face, chest, shoulder, arm or leg that
may crust, itch, hurt or cause no discomfort.
·
A
shiny bump or nodule that is pearly or clear, pink, red or white.
·
The
bump can also be tan, black or brown, especially in dark-skinned people, and
can be mistaken for a normal mole.
·
A
small pink growth with a slightly raised, rolled edge and a crusted indentation
in the center that may develop tiny surface blood vessels over time.
·
A
scar-like area
·
A
persistent, scaly red patch with irregular borders that sometimes crusts or
bleeds.
·
An
elevated growth with a central depression that occasionally bleeds. It may
rapidly increase in size.
What are the signs for Melanoma?
The first five letters of the
alphabet are a guide to help you recognize the warning signs of melanoma.
A is for Asymmetry. Most
melanomas are asymmetrical. If you draw a line through the middle of the
lesion, the two halves don’t match, so it looks different from a round to oval
and symmetrical common mole.
B is for Border. Melanoma borders
tend to be uneven and may have scalloped or notched edges, while common moles
tend to have smoother, more even borders.
C is for Colour. Multiple colours
are a warning sign. While benign moles are usually a single shade of brown, a
melanoma may have different shades of brown, tan or black. As it grows, the
colours red, white or blue may also appear.
D is for Diameter or Dark. While
it’s ideal to detect a melanoma when it is small, it’s a warning sign if a
lesion is the size of a pencil eraser (about 6 mm, or ¼ inch in diameter) or
larger. Some experts say it is also important to look for any lesion, no matter
what size, that is darker than others. Rare, amelanotic melanomas are
colourless.
E is for Evolving. Any change in
size, shape, color or elevation of a spot on your skin, or any new symptom in
it, such as bleeding.
What are the treatment options?
·
Excisional
surgery
·
Mohs
surgery
·
Curettage
and electrodesiccation (electrosurgery)
·
Photodynamic
therapy (PDT)
To know about diagnosis and
treatment of skin cancer please visit our dermatology department at Wockhardt
Hospital.
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