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Melanoma is not the most common type of skin cancer, but it is the most serious. There are many risk factors for melanoma, including one major risk factor that is largely avoidable - overexposure to the sun.

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that arises when the pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) mutate and become cancerous. Most pigment cells are found in the skin, although melanoma can also occur in the eyes ( ocular melanoma) and other parts of the body, such as the intestines (this is rare). It is very rare in people with dark skin. 1,2

Melanoma is just one type of skin cancer, and is much less common than basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers. However, melanoma is an especially dangerous type of skin cancer because it is more likely to spread. 1,2

This article focuses on melanoma because it accounts for the majority of deaths from skin cancer each year. Much of the information regarding the prevention and treatment of melanoma also applies to the more common, but less deadly, skin cancers and pre-cancerous lesions. ²

Squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma are two such types of non-melanoma skin cancer. Basal cell is the most common form and usually grows very slowly, rarely spreading beyond the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma also rarely metastasises. Both types are known as keratinocyte skin cancers due to their involvement of keratin-producing skin cells and their appearance under the microscope. Like melanoma, squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas are linked to sun exposure. ²

Fast facts on melanoma

Here are some key points about melanoma. More detail and supporting information is in the body of this article.

Melanoma is the rarest, but the most dangerous, form of three common types of skin cancer.

Melanoma accounts for just 2% of skin cancer cases but almost 10,000 of the >13,000 skin cancer deaths each year (American Cancer Society).

Numerous risk factors have been identified for melanoma, and the incidence appears to be increasing for people under the age of 40, especially in women.

Repeated overexposure to the sun is the major avoidable risk factor for melanoma - not getting sunburnt is the best prevention against skin cancer.

Diagnosis of skin cancer is made initially by the appearance of the skin, and confirmed by biopsy sample.

Self-monitoring of moles and other markings on the skin helps with early detection of skin cancer.

Treatment usually aims to completely remove skin cancer tumors, and is curative if done at the cancer's earliest stage.

Melanomas can develop on any part of the skin. Certain areas are more prone than others, however. In men, the trunk (chest and back) is most likely to be affected by melanoma. In women, the legs are the most common site of melanoma. Other common sites are the neck and face. ²

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US, according to the National Cancer Institute. ¹

According to the American Cancer Society, about 73,870 new melanomas will be diagnosed in 2015 (about 42,670 in men and 31,200 in women), and about 9,940 people are expected to die of melanoma (about 6,640 men and 3,300 women). Almost a further 50,000 cases are diagnosed with an early form of the disease.¹

Causes of melanoma

As with all cancers, research is ongoing into the causes of melanoma. People with certain types of skin are more prone to developing melanoma, with the following factors associated with an increased incidence of skin cancer:2,3

Change of appearance in skin moles should raise suspicion of melanoma.

High freckle density or tendency to develop freckles after sun

High number of moles

Five or more atypical moles

Presence of actinic lentigines (small gray-brown spots also known as liver spots, sun spots, or age spots)

Giant congenital melanocytic nevus (brown skin marks present at birth - birth marks)

Pale skin that does not tan easily and burns; light-coloured eyes

Red or light-coloured hair

High sun exposure, particularly if it produces blistering sunburn, and especially if sun exposure is intermittent rather than regular

Age - risk increases with age

Family or personal history of melanoma

Being female

Having an organ transplant.

Only one of the above risk factors stands out as avoidable - high sun exposure and sunburn. A report by the World Health Organization estimated that the number of early deaths worldwide caused by excessive exposure to the sun's UV (ultraviolet) radiation was 60,000 in the year 2000; many of these people died from melanoma. ⁴

Avoiding overexposure to the sun, and taking steps to prevent sunburn, are hugely important in lowering the risk of skin cancer. This includes avoiding the use of tanning beds as these are also a source of damaging UV rays.²

Symptoms of melanoma

As with other forms of cancer, the early stages of melanoma may not produce any symptoms. This is why active surveillance is heavily promoted by cancer charities and public health organisations, so as to spot early signs of the disease. Changes in the appearance of the skin are key indicators of melanoma and are also used in the diagnostic process).

The Melanoma Research Foundation has produced a web page that compares pictures of melanoma with those of normal moles. This American non-profit organization also lists the following symptoms and signs that should prompt suspicion of skin cancer and necessitate a visit to the doctor: ⁵

Skin change - a new spot or mole, or a change in color, shape or size of a current spot or mole

Skin sore that fails to heal

Spot or sore that becomes painful, itchy, tender or bleeds

Spot or lump that looks shiny, waxy, smooth or pale

A firm red lump that bleeds or appears ulcerated or crusty

A flat, red spot that is rough, dry or scaly.

The ABCDE examination of skin moles is also a key way to reveal suspect lesions.

On the next page we look at tests and diagnosis for melanoma as well as skin cancer prevention tips and treatments options for people with melanoma.

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Melanoma: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

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Melanoma is not the most common type of skin cancer, but it is the most serious. There are many risk factors for melanoma, including one major risk factor that is largely avoidable - overexposure to the sun. Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that arises when the pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) mutate and become cancerous.

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What are the current treatments for Melanoma? 1.Chemotherapy,                                 2.Immunotherpy,                                3.Pembrolizumab

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What are the current treatments for Melanoma? 1.Chemotherapy,                                 2.Immunotherpy,                                3.Pembrolizumab

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Whats new in melanoma skin cancer research?           Recent studies suggest that there may be 2 ways  that UV rays causes melanoma. The first way is to be in a lot of contact with sun as a child on teen. Also tanning booths may make melanoma startThe second way is linked to melanomas that start on the arms, neck, and face. These areas are often exposed to sun, particularly in men.

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Whats new in melanoma skin cancer research?           Recent studies suggest that there may be 2 ways  that UV rays causes melanoma. The first way is to be in a lot of contact with sun as a child on teen. Also tanning booths may make melanoma startThe second way is linked to melanomas that start on the arms, neck, and face. These areas are often exposed to sun, particularly in men.

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it’s important to check your own skin about once a month. You should know the pattern of moles, freckles, and other marks on your skin so that you’ll notice any changes. That is how most people detect Melanoma cancer.

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it’s important to check your own skin about once a month. You should know the pattern of moles, freckles, and other marks on your skin so that you’ll notice any changes. That is how most people detect Melanoma cancer.

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                   Sources     http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/melanoma/risk-factors-and-prevention

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                   Sources     http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/melanoma/risk-factors-and-prevention

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Stage 1 usually means a cancer is relatively small and contained within the organ it started in.         Stage 2 usually means the cancer has not started to spread into surrounding tissue, but the tumour is larger than in stage 1. Sometimes stage 2 means that cancer cells have spread into lymph nodes close to the tumour. This depends on the particular type of cancer.                                                                        Stage 3 usually means the cancer is larger. It may have started to spread into surrounding tissues and there are cancer cells in the lymph nodes in the area.                                                                                      Stage 4 means the cancer has spread from where it started to another body organ. This is also called secondary or metastatic cancer.

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Stage 1 usually means a cancer is relatively small and contained within the organ it started in.         Stage 2 usually means the cancer has not started to spread into surrounding tissue, but the tumour is larger than in stage 1. Sometimes stage 2 means that cancer cells have spread into lymph nodes close to the tumour. This depends on the particular type of cancer.                                                                        Stage 3 usually means the cancer is larger. It may have started to spread into surrounding tissues and there are cancer cells in the lymph nodes in the area.                                                                                      Stage 4 means the cancer has spread from where it started to another body organ. This is also called secondary or metastatic cancer.

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What causes Melanoma to occur Sun exposure?                                                                                          1. Sun exposure 2. Artificial tanning 3. Moles 4. Fair skin 5. Family history 6. Personal history of skin cancer 7. Race or ethnicity    

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What causes Melanoma to occur Sun exposure?                                                                                          1. Sun exposure 2. Artificial tanning 3. Moles 4. Fair skin 5. Family history 6. Personal history of skin cancer 7. Race or ethnicity    

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Sources                                                                                                                                                             http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts

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Sources                                                                                                                                                             http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts

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Sources        http://www.melanomafoundation.org

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Sources        http://www.melanomafoundation.org

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The American Melanoma Foundation  voluntary health agency its a non profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of patients and communities nationwide

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The American Melanoma Foundation  voluntary health agency its a non profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of patients and communities nationwide

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Melanoma accounts for six percent of cancer cases in teens 15-19 years old. Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for young people 15-29 years old.Feb 9, 2015

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Melanoma accounts for six percent of cancer cases in teens 15-19 years old. Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for young people 15-29 years old.Feb 9, 2015

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                Sources                                                   http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/melanoma/HealthProfessional/page9          http://www.cancer.org/cancer/skincancer-melanoma/detailedguide/melanoma-skin-cancer-survival-rates     

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                Sources                                                   http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/melanoma/HealthProfessional/page9          http://www.cancer.org/cancer/skincancer-melanoma/detailedguide/melanoma-skin-cancer-survival-rates     

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Melanoma is the rarest form of skin cancer. It is more likely to invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body than other types of skin cancer. When melanoma starts in the skin, it is calledcutaneous melanoma. Melanoma may also occur in mucous membranes (thin, moist layers of tissue that cover surfaces such as the lips). This PDQ summary is about cutaneous (skin) melanoma and melanoma that affects the mucous membranes.

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Melanoma is the rarest form of skin cancer. It is more likely to invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body than other types of skin cancer. When melanoma starts in the skin, it is calledcutaneous melanoma. Melanoma may also occur in mucous membranes (thin, moist layers of tissue that cover surfaces such as the lips). This PDQ summary is about cutaneous (skin) melanoma and melanoma that affects the mucous membranes.

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              How many people in the US have this cancer?                                 Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, will account for more than 73,000 cases of skin cancer in 2015.

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              How many people in the US have this cancer?                                 Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, will account for more than 73,000 cases of skin cancer in 2015.

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                                              What Average Survival Rate For This Cancer?                              Stage IA: The 5-year survival rate is around 97%. The 10-year survival is around 95%.

Stage IB: The 5-year survival rate is around 92%. The 10-year survival is around 86%. 

Stage IIA: The 5-year survival rate is around 81%. The 10-year survival is around 67%. 

Stage IIB: The 5-year survival rate is around 70%. The 10-year survival is around 57%.

Stage IIC: The 5-year survival rate is around 53%. The 10-year survival is around 40%. 

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                                              What Average Survival Rate For This Cancer?                              Stage IA: The 5-year survival rate is around 97%. The 10-year survival is around 95%.

Stage IB: The 5-year survival rate is around 92%. The 10-year survival is around 86%. 

Stage IIA: The 5-year survival rate is around 81%. The 10-year survival is around 67%. 

Stage IIB: The 5-year survival rate is around 70%. The 10-year survival is around 57%.

Stage IIC: The 5-year survival rate is around 53%. The 10-year survival is around 40%. 