Melanoma

What is Melanoma?

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. It’s less common than other skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, however, it’s more dangerous because it is more likely to spread to other organs.

Your skin gets its unique color from “melanocytes” (cells that produce a pigment called melanin). Melanocytes also make extra pigment in response to sunlight. That’s why your skin may darken after spending time in the sun.

Melanoma Signs

Melanoma cancer begins in the melanocytes. As these cancerous cells multiply, they can grow into a small mass (tumor) on your skin. Warning signs of melanoma include:

Where Does Melanoma Occur?

Melanoma usually occurs on parts of the skin with significant sun exposure. But it can occur anywhere on the body, even in hidden areas. These include the bottom of your foot, under a fingernail, between your toes or inside your mouth.

Because melanoma can be sneaky—and serious—doctors recommend you have regular skin exams. Your primary care doctor or a dermatologist can check your skin during routine medical visits. They can check areas that are hard for you to see, like your scalp and back.

Melanoma Treatment at Mercy

Mercy’s cancer team understands you need both medical care and reassurance. We use the latest tools and techniques to get rid of your skin cancer with the least amount of side effects.

Your treatment strategy for melanoma will depend on several factors. These include whether we caught your melanoma early or whether it has spread. Your doctor may recommend you have one or more types of treatment, including:

• Medication, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy drugs
• Radiation therapy
• Surgery to remove the melanoma from your skin. If your cancer has spread, your surgeon may also remove affected lymph nodes.

Preventing Melanoma

Even if you think your skin cancer risk is low, you should report unusual moles or skin changes to your doctor. The sooner you catch melanoma, the better your chances of beating it. But if left untreated, melanoma can become life-threatening.

Cancer can stop you in your tracks. But with the right expertise and encouragement, you can keep going. We’ll help you pick up where you left off, living and loving life.