Melanoma

Melanoma is a very aggressive type of skin cancer that starts in melanocytes, the cells that make pigment and give skin its colour. Melanoma is rarer than other skin cancers, but it spreads more easily if not detected early. The main risk factor is too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. People who have fair skin, many or unusual moles, a family history of melanoma, or a weak immune system are more likely to have it.

Melanoma commonly shows up as a new or changing mole that fits the ABCDE warning signs: it is asymmetrical, has an uneven border, changes colour, exceeds six millimetres in diameter, and looks different over time. Early diagnosis by looking at the skin and doing a biopsy greatly enhances the results of treatment. The thickness of the tumour, whether it has migrated to lymph nodes, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body all affect staging.

Surgery to remove the tumour is an option for early-stage melanoma. For more advanced melanoma, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy may be needed. Recent progress in immune checkpoint inhibitors and tailored medications has changed how melanoma is treated, making it possible for people to live longer even when the disease is quite advanced. Sun protection, regular skin self-examinations, and routine dermatological screenings are all important ways to lower the number of people who develop melanoma and die from it.