Malignant MELANOMA

Melanoma is the most dangerous of skin cancers. Melanoma arises from pigment producing cells called melanocytes, and is responsible for majority of skin cancer-related deaths.

What are the warning signs of potential melanoma?

The first sign of melanoma is usually a change in the look of an old mole.
Another sign is the arrival of a new, odd-looking mole.
A mole that itches or bleeds should also be checked by your doctor.
Warning signs to look for in an old or new mole can be remembered as 'ABCDE'

Self-examination with image documentation of moles of your own body is important, however self-diagnosis and self-denial is a dangerous behavior.

If you have questions or concerns about a mole or dark spot on your skin, schedule an appointment forfull body skin cancer check.

Call: (847) 518-9999

A-B-C-D-E is what you need to look for:

	Asymmetry—One half of the shape is not identical to the other.
	Border—The edges seem to be irregular, notched, ragged, or blurred, and the color of the growth may spread to influence surrounding skin.
	Color—The color is not even and may contain a number of different colors, including brown, black and tan, as well as pink, blue, red, grey, or white.
	Diameter—There is usually a change in size. Most often, melanomas are bigger than the eraser on a pencil, which is roughly a quarter of an inch or 5 millimeters.

E for Elevation or Enlargement: the mole is raised above the skin. A mole that is enlarging is probably the most important clue that it might be melanoma.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of suspicious mole is done by either

Skin biopsy
Surgical excision with appropriate margins

Standard treatment options for melanoma will be based on pathology findings

For early-stage melanoma complete surgical excision is a definitive treatment.
Melanomas with stage I-II might require Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
Stages III and IV require advanced care and management

Risk Factor

Family history of melanoma, skin cancer, pancreatic cancer, astrocytoma
Personal or family history of Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome
Personal history of malignant tumor or melanoma
Previous sun exposure, sunburns
Diagnosis of dysplastic or atypical nevi
Presence of irregular, prominent moles on skin
Changes in size, color, symmetry, bleeding, ulceration or other, noted in moles

Early detection and removal of Melanoma is crucial - if caught and removed early it is curable. Call: (847) 518-9999

Majority of patients that were eventually diagnosed with advanced stages of malignant melanoma knew about presence of the skin lesion a long time before their diagnosis was made.

If you find any of the A-B-C-D-E changes listed above or, if you have questions or concerns about a mole or dark spot on your skin, schedule an appointment for a skin exam with IVSI
Call: (847) 518-9999