Melanoma: Skin Cancer By A Different Name Melanoma is the most prevalent form of skin cancer and skin cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in the Western world. It begins in skin cells known as melanocytes. Melanocytes are found under the skin, which is made up of two strata: the epidermis on the outside and the dermis below that. To be precise, melanocytes are situated in the lowest strata of the epidermis, but not really in the dermis. These cells produce melanin, which affects the epidermis’ pigmentation, both natural skin colour and because of exposure to the sun as in tanning. Sometimes, a group of near-by melanocytes combine with a little local tissue to make a mole (also called a nevus; plural nevi). The average individual has between ten and forty moles, which usually appear before the fortieth birthday. They frequently fade or fade away with age. Moles are non-malignant (non-cancerous) and can be flat or raised in shape and almost any colour. Normally, they are a little darker than one’s natural skin colour. Dark skinned people tend to have more moles. Cancer starts in cells where the standard cycle of decay and replacement by regeneration has been Upset. Under these conditions, cells do not always die when they ought to and new cells are produced unnecessarily. This, in turn, creates a growth (also known as a tumor), which can be either benign or malignant (ie cancerous or non-cancerous). Benign tumors can be surgically removed and seldom return. They do not spread or affect surrounding tissue. Malignant tumors are cancerous and can have an effect on surrounding tissue and organs. In these cases, cancerous cells can break away from the primary tumor and affect other organs or enter the blood stream (lymphatic system), whereby it will spread to other regions of the body (metastasis) quite quickly. The incidence of metastasis is a deciding factor in how a medical doctor treats cancer. Melanoma happens when melanocytes become malignant. It can happen at any age, but the chances increase with age. Fair-skinned individuals are more likely to develop it than dark-skinned individuals. In fair-skinned races, men tend to get it on the torso and neck, whereas women get it on their calves (lower legs). Dark-skinned individuals rarely suffer from melanoma, but if they do, it is normally under the finger and toe nails or on the soles of the feet or palms of the hands. When cancerous cells from melanoma enter the lymphatic system and have an impact on other organs, it is still attributed to melanoma. For example, if the liver becomes affected by cancerous cells from melanoma, it is referred to as metastatic melanoma, not liver cancer.
Frequently, the first indication of melanoma is a change in the size, shape, colour, or texture of an existing mole, although it frequently first manifests itself with a new mole or moles. Self-diagnosis is not to be relied on - always seek professional advice if you have any problems relating to your skin. However, it is wise to bear in mind ‘The ABCD of Melanoma’, which goes thus: Asymmetry: the shape of one side of the mole is not the same as the other side. Border: the border or edges of the mole are not plainly defined; a bit ragged or the colouration ‘blurs into the surrounding skin. Colouration: the mole is not consistently of one colour, although it is not so important what that colour is. Diameter: there is a change in size or a new mole gets larger than 5mm in size. Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on several subjects, but is now involved with the stages of ovarian cancer. If you would like to know more, please visit our site at Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer