Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that develops in the melanin cells of the skin. If caught early, it can be treated fairly quickly and effectively; if left alone, melanoma can become difficult to remove completely and even may spread to the rest of the body. The best way to protect yourself from developing it is by attending annual skin cancer screenings.
Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center has an enduring commitment to the health of our patients. If you’re searching for a place to schedule a skin cancer screening in the Orlando area, don’t hesitate – contact us today.
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact causes of melanoma are not currently known, but genetic predisposition and excess exposure to ultraviolet light are the two biggest factors thought to contribute to its development.
While these are the two most common factors leading to this condition, there are also several other things that raise your risk of developing this serious skin cancer, like having fair skin and living in higher elevation. In general, the amount of exposure you have to the sun and how sensitive your skin is to UV light affect your likelihood of developing melanoma.
Symptoms
One of the biggest symptoms of melanoma are new skin growths. New skin growth that are the result of this condition are usually dark in color, unusually shaped and feature ridged edges on the border. If one of your existing mole’s changes in color, size or shape, this could be another indication that you have melanoma or another form of skin cancer. While it is most likely to develop on areas that get a lot of exposure to the sun, melanoma can occur anywhere on the body.
Diagnosis
While some forms of skin cancer can be diagnosed just by looking at the skin, taking a biopsy is the best way to determine if you are suffering from melanoma. A biopsy can help doctors hone in on what stage of development your melanoma is in, and what treatment options will be most useful for your particular case.
Catching this condition in its early stages and treating it then is much easier than treating it after it has developed. If the skin cancer is caught early enough, then the melanoma can be surgically removed. If all of the cancer cells are removed during surgery, it will be the only treatment needed.
If you suspect that you have melanoma, it’s important that you get checked out as soon as possible. If left untreated, it can become difficult to get rid of, and may even spread to other parts of the body. Contact Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center today to schedule a consultation appointment.