Symptoms of malignant melanoma
Melanoma is a type of cancer that begins in malignant melanoma cells, but it is the most dangerous of the three types of skin cancer because it is deeply invasive, metastasizes to other parts of the body, and can be fatal like other types of cancer.
Malignant melanoma initially presents with diverse and simple symptoms that are often overlooked, even though the lesion is right on the skin. By the time it is detected, it is usually in a late stage, with cancer cells having metastasized to distant sites, making treatment difficult.
Malignant melanoma can develop from several benign skin lesions such as moles, nevus, and melanoma (age spots in the elderly), so proper intervention and care are necessary for these benign lesions.
Skin cancer in general, including melanoma, can be completely cured if detected early, so early diagnosis of skin cancer is becoming increasingly necessary and important.
Sunlight is the primary cause of malignant melanoma, with ultraviolet rays causing chromosomal changes. Most cases of malignant melanoma have a history of sunburn in childhood.
Approximately 5% of malignant melanomas appear on birthmarks, especially giant birthmarks.
The link between female sex hormones (oestrogen) and malignant melanoma remains unclear to this day.
Approximately 2-5% of melanomas are familial, and 30% of patients with a family history of melanoma have abnormalities in the p16 gene on chromosome 9p21.
People with skin types 1, 2, and 3 have a higher risk of developing malignant melanoma than people of color.
Early signs and symptoms of melanoma
The disease develops from benign skin lesions:
Mole
Malignant melanoma develops on a pre-existing mole that is often touched or repeatedly exposed to sunlight, but not all moles turn into cancer; only a very small percentage do.
A normal mole may suddenly change in shape, size, or bleed, grow rapidly, or become itchy. The mole may darken, especially if it shows signs of ulceration, growth, or changes from a uniform brown color to a multi-colored one. The normally clear and symmetrical border becomes irregular, jagged, or asymmetrical. The surface of the mole loses its normal skin texture...
From pigmented spots on the skin
On a dark area of skin (birthmark), there may suddenly be a raised bump, ulceration, itching, bleeding, or a change in color…
From melanoma
Melanoma is a benign lesion, commonly found in older adults, but it can also manifest abnormally and become cancerous.
Malignant melanoma appears on normal skin.
- New moles appear on the skin, especially after the age of 30; these moles are asymmetrical, have irregular or jagged edges, are raised or indented, have uneven color, and are unusually large in diameter (over 6mm).
- A small, rough patch of skin appears on the skin, which grows rapidly in size over a short period of time.
- Bruises on the skin that don't heal, grayish-brown patches on the fingertips, or purple spots on the nails that suddenly change color and turn into lumps or bleed.
- The ulcer has hard, slow-healing edges, contains granular papules, and bleeds profusely…
We need to monitor changes in moles on the body because they may be signs of malignant melanoma. Avoid and limit sun exposure.
