What’s Melanoma? A Primer on This Dangerous Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in America. Melanoma skin cancer is the least common type, making up only 1 out of 100 skin cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. If it’s so rare, what’s the big deal about melanoma?
“Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer,” says Dr. Anna Pavlick, medical oncologist, skin cancer expert and director of the Cutaneous Oncology Program at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. “That’s why it’s so important for people to get skin checks and to know what to look for when it comes to melanoma.”
Understanding Melanoma Skin Cancer
Skin cancers are named based on where they take root. Basal cell skin cancer starts in the basal cell layer, found in the lower part of the epidermis. Squamous cell carcinoma starts in the outer layer of skin, known as squamous cells. Melanoma begins in your body’s melanocytes. These skin cells produce melanin, which gives your skin a tan or brown color. When your body produces melanin, it’s more difficult for the sun to damage deep layers of your skin, but not impossible.
While melanoma can occur on all exposed parts of the body, it often affects men’s chests and backs in the earliest stages. Women are more likely to have early-stage melanoma on their legs. In rare cases, melanoma occurs in the eyes or the moist lining of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, mouth or nose (mucous membranes).
What Puts Your Skin at Risk
Risk factors that increase the risk of melanoma include:
- Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds can damage your skin’s DNA and affect your body’s production of skin cells.
- Immunity issues. A weakened immune system reduces your body’s ability to identify and destroy cancer cells, including melanoma.
- Lots of moles. Though not all moles develop melanoma, having a lot of existing moles increases the likelihood of future cancer.
- Personal or family history. If you’ve had any type of skin cancer or have a family history of melanoma, you may want to consider genetic testing. This helps identify genetic mutations that put you at higher risk.
- Skin, hair and eye color. Melanoma often affects people with freckles, light skin that burns easily, blue or green eyes or blonde or red hair.
Detecting and Treating Melanoma
Diagnosing melanoma requires a skin exam and biopsy of the suspicious area. During the biopsy, your provider removes a small part of skin for laboratory testing. If cancer is present, imaging tests, such as a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, help determine if the cancer has spread.
Early-stage melanoma may only require a surgical oncologist to remove the cancerous cells. If the cancer spreads, your care team may recommend additional treatment options, such as:
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Radiation therapy
Paying attention to your skin can increase your odds of an early diagnosis. Look for any moles with one or more ABCDE symptoms:
- Asymmetrical (the two sides are different shapes)
- Border that is rough instead of smooth
- Color that is inconsistent
- Diameter larger than a pencil eraser
- Evolving in shape, size or color over time
“Anytime you find something that doesn’t belong or feel right, get it checked out,” Dr. Pavlick says. “It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and it’s easier to cure cancer when it’s early than when it’s late.”
Need help protecting your skin? Find a doctor at Weill Cornell Medicine today.