What is melanoma?
Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, develops in the cells (melanocytes) that produce melanin — the pigment that gives your skin its color.
Melanoma can also form in your eyes and, rarely, inside your body, such as in your nose or throat.
The exact cause of all melanomas isn't clear, but exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight or tanning lamps and beds increases your risk of developing melanoma.
The risk of melanoma seems to be increasing in people under 40, especially women.
Melanoma can be treated successfully if it is detected early.
Symptoms
Melanomas can develop anywhere on your body. They most often develop in areas that have had exposure to the sun, such as your back, legs, arms and face.
Melanomas can also occur in areas that don't receive much sun exposure, such as the soles of your feet, palms of your hands and fingernail beds. These hidden melanomas are more common in people with darker skin.
The first melanoma signs and symptoms often are:
- A change in an existing mole
- The development of a new pigmented or unusual-looking growth on your skin
Unusual moles that may indicate melanoma
To help you identify characteristics of unusual moles that may indicate melanomas or other skin cancers, think of the letters ABCDE:
- A is for asymmetrical shape.
- B is for irregular border.
- C is for changes in color.
- D is for diameter.
- E is for evolving.
Causes
Melanoma occurs when something goes wrong in the melanin-producing cells (melanocytes) that give color to your skin. When some cells develop DNA damage, new cells may begin to grow out of control and can eventually form a mass of cancerous cells.
Just what damages DNA in skin cells and how this leads to melanoma isn't clear. It's likely that a combination of factors, including environmental and genetic factors, causes melanoma.
Still, doctors believe exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and from tanning lamps and beds is the leading cause of melanoma.
Risk factors:
- Fair skin.
- A history of sunburn.
- Excessive ultraviolet (UV) light exposure.
- Having more than 50 ordinary moles on your body indicates an increased risk of melanoma.
- Having an unusual type of mole increases the risk of melanoma.
- A family history of melanoma.
- Weakened immune system.
source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/melanoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20374884
