Learning More About Melanoma

Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer. It is not as common as SCC (squamous cell carcinoma) or BCC (basal cell carcinoma). However, melanoma’s ability to rapidly spread to and attack the other organs (if not detected early and treated), makes it more dangerous than the other two skin cancer types. It is hard to treat once the cell reaches the vital organs and starts to grow. So, for improved chances of a cure, early detection is crucial. Thus, you need to learn more about melanoma whereby you can spot skin changes (through self-examination), and notify the doctor straight-away.

Melanoma develops when melanocytes, cells that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin coloring, mutate. Extensive exposure to UV radiation causes DNA damage from tans or skin burns that triggers the mutation.

While cutaneous is the most common melanoma, Nodular melanoma, Ocular melanoma, and Lentigo Malinga melanoma are some of the other types.