Melanoma Exploration: Signs, Stages, and Additional Insights
A new report from the American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 198,000 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in 2024, with around 8,290 people losing their lives to the disease. As the number of cases continues to rise, it's crucial to understand melanoma, its symptoms, and the treatment options available.
Melanoma, a form of skin cancer, can be difficult to detect as it often begins as a subtle change in a mole or skin lesion. Symptoms to watch out for include alterations in the appearance of the skin, such as a new spot or mole or a change in the colour, shape, or size of an existing spot or mole. Other signs include a skin sore that fails to heal, a spot or sore that becomes painful, itchy, or tender, a spot or sore that starts to bleed, a spot or lump that looks shiny, waxy, smooth, or pale, a firm lump that bleeds or looks ulcerated or crusted, or a flat, inflamed spot that is rough, dry, or scaly.
The stage of cancer at diagnosis will indicate how far it has already spread and what kind of treatment will be suitable. Melanoma stages range from 0 to 4, with early stages (Stage I and II) being the most treatable. Treatment typically involves surgical removal of the melanoma, with two common surgical approaches being Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Wide Local Excision.
If there is a risk that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, a doctor may request a lymph node biopsy.
In later stages, treatment becomes more complex and systemic. For Stage III melanoma, surgery is still important, but there is an increased use of systemic treatments to reduce relapse risk. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy become key players in this stage.
Stage IV, or advanced or metastatic melanoma, requires a more aggressive approach. Immunotherapy, such as checkpoint inhibitors, remains a mainstay, with new breakthrough therapies like engineered tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) showing promising results.
The survival statistics for melanoma reflect past trends but are expected to improve with advances in therapies such as TIL and combination immunotherapies. The 5-year survival rates for each stage are: Stage I-II (54.65%), Stage III (37.88%), and Stage IV (28.58%).
To prevent melanoma, limiting UV exposure is crucial. This can be done by wearing sun-protective clothing, seeking shade, avoiding tanning beds, and applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. People with lighter skin, red or blonde hair, blue or green eyes, or skin that burns easily are at a higher risk of developing melanoma. Regular self-examinations and professional check-ups can help detect early signs of melanoma.
Melanoma can develop anywhere on the body, so regular checks are essential. If a doctor suspects skin cancer, they will have a dermatologist biopsy the lesion to determine whether it is cancerous. If melanoma covers a large area of skin, a skin graft may be necessary. Radiation therapy may also be recommended for treating melanoma.
As with many health issues, knowledge is power. Understanding melanoma, its symptoms, and the treatment options available can help save lives. Regular self-examinations, professional check-ups, and responsible sun exposure are key to preventing and detecting melanoma early.
- Melanoma, a type of skin cancer, can start as a subtle change in a mole or skin lesion, often difficult to detect.
- Watching out for symptoms such as alterations in skin appearance, like a new spot or mole, or changes in color, shape, or size of existing spots or moles, is crucial.
- Other symptoms include skin sores that fail to heal, become painful, itchy, or tender, bleed, or look shiny, waxy, smooth, or pale.
- A firm lump that bleeds or looks ulcerated or crusted, or a flat, inflamed spot that is rough, dry, or scaly may also indicate melanoma.
- The stage of cancer at diagnosis determines how far it has spread and the suitable treatment, with early stages (Stage I and II) being the most treatable.
- Treatment often involves surgical removal, such as Mohs Micrographic Surgery or Wide Local Excision.
- If cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, a lymph node biopsy may be required.
- In later stages, treatment becomes more complex and includes systemic treatments, with targeted therapy and immunotherapy becoming key players in Stage III melanoma.
- Stage IV melanoma requires an aggressive approach, with immunotherapy like checkpoint inhibitors and new breakthrough therapies like engineered tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) showing promising results.
- Prevention measures include limiting UV exposure, wearing sun-protective clothing, seeking shade, avoiding tanning beds, and applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- People with a higher risk of developing melanoma include those with lighter skin, red or blonde hair, blue or green eyes, or skin that burns easily. Regular self-examinations and professional check-ups can help detect early signs of melanoma, improving the chances of successful treatment and better health-and-wellness outcomes.
