When it comes to skin cancer morbidity, melanoma is by far the deadliest form. Close to 10,000 people die each year in the U.S. from melanoma due to its invasive nature. Melanoma, often found in cancerous moles, is treatable in the early stages, but it can often go undetected. At MJR Dermatology, we provide skin cancer detection and diagnosis, as well as cancerous moles (melanoma) treatment at our medical center in Lawrenceville, GA.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that affects the melanocyte cells that are in the top layer of skin. UV ray damage to melanocytes from sunburns or overexposure to the sun can result in damage to the melanocytes, triggering mutation. Melanoma is much less common than squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or basal cell carcinoma (BCC) but it is also much more aggressive and deadly.
Many people equate melanoma with cancerous moles, which do occur. Existing moles can become cancerous, but this is only one type of melanoma – only about 20-30% of melanoma stems from existing moles. The majority of cases evolve from normal skin.
Symptoms of Melanoma
Detecting melanoma early and receiving treatment can greatly improve your chance of stopping the spread to other parts of the body. There are four different types of melanomas, including cancerous moles. Some of the early signs of melanoma that can alert you to a possible cancerous growth include:
- Abnormal moles – Changes in the color, size, border or symmetry of a mole should be immediately shown to a dermatologist. These can indicate melanoma or cancerous moles.
- Dark spots on nails, feet or palms – Acral lentiginous melanoma appears as dark spots on the bottom of feet, palms or toe/finger nails. It most commonly affects dark-skinned people.
- Dark irregular-bordered skin patches – Lentigo melanoma appears as bluish-black or dark raised skin patch with an irregular border.
- Blue, black or red bump – Nodular melanoma appears as bluish-black, red or dark bumps – these are an overly aggressive form of melanoma.
Cancerous moles and other types of melanoma need immediate treatment. Excision is the first step of treatment to remove the growth, but other treatments may be needed if the cancer has begun to spread. Dr. Reschly at MJR Dermatology provides advanced surgical and non-surgical treatment for cancerous moles and melanomas at our medical center in Lawrenceville, GA.