What is Melanoma? What You Need to Know

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, but it’s highly treatable when caught early. Advanced treatments and early detection have significantly improved survival rates among melanoma patients. 

In this guide, we will walk you through what melanoma is, how to spot the signs and your treatment options.

What is Melanoma? 

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in melanocytes, which are the cells that produce melanin. It’s less common than other skin cancers, but it’s the most aggressive and can spread quickly if not treated early.

In the U.S., melanoma accounts for about 1% of all skin cancers but causes the majority of skin cancer deaths. The American Cancer Society estimates over 100,000 new cases are diagnosed annually.

Men are more likely to develop melanoma than women, especially after age 50. However, women under 50 are at a higher risk than men of the same age. This makes regular skin checks important for everyone, regardless of gender. 

Melanoma Causes

Certain factors can increase your risk of developing melanoma, especially if you’re frequently exposed to them:

• UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds
• Family history of melanoma or skin cancer
• Fair skin, light hair, freckles, or a tendency to burn easily
• Genetic mutations, such as changes in the BRAF gene
• A weakened immune system due to illness or medications
• Having many moles or atypical moles

Melanoma Signs and Symptoms

Melanoma often starts as a new or changing spot on the skin. Pay attention to the following warning signs:

• A mole or spot that looks different from others on your skin (often called the “ugly duckling” sign)
• Growth or changes in an existing mole, such as becoming larger, darker, or uneven
• A mole with irregular edges or multiple colors
• Itching, tenderness, or pain in a mole
• A mole or spot that starts to bleed, crust, or ooze

Melanoma doesn’t always appear as a mole. It can also show up as a dark streak under a nail, a patch of discolored skin on your palms or soles, or a sore that doesn’t heal. 

If you notice anything unusual or rapidly changing on your skin, don’t wait. See a dermatologist as soon as possible. Early diagnosis saves lives.

How Fast Can Melanoma Spread?

Melanoma can spread quickly, sometimes within weeks, depending on the type and stage. Aggressive forms like nodular melanoma grow rapidly, while superficial spreading melanoma develops more slowly.

Signs that melanoma has spread include:

• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Persistent cough or difficulty breathing.
• Unexplained pain, especially in bones.
• Fatigue or general weakness.
• New lumps under the skin.

Once melanoma spreads beyond the skin to lymph nodes or organs, treatment becomes more complex. This is why early detection is critical. Melanoma is highly treatable when caught early, often with surgery alone. 

How is Melanoma Diagnosed? 

Diagnosing melanoma involves several steps to confirm the condition and determine if it has spread:

Skin Examination

A dermatologist carefully examines any suspicious moles or spots on your skin and considers things such as:

• Has the spot changed in size, shape, or color?
• Is it causing symptoms like itching, tenderness, or bleeding?
• How long has it been there, and have you noticed similar spots elsewhere?

Biopsy

If a spot looks concerning, a small piece or the entire lesion is removed (via a shave, punch, or excisional biopsy) and analyzed under a microscope to check for melanoma cells.

Dermatoscopy

A handheld device called a dermatoscope provides a magnified view of the lesion. This allows the dermatologist to spot subtle details not visible to the naked eye.

Lymph Node Evaluation

If melanoma is confirmed, nearby lymph nodes may be tested through physical examination or a biopsy to check if the cancer has spread.

Imaging Tests

In advanced cases, imaging like CT, MRI, or PET scans may be used to detect whether melanoma has spread to internal organs or distant lymph nodes.

Melanoma Treatment Houston, Texas

Melanoma Stages

Melanoma treatment depends on the stage of the cancer and how far it has spread. 

• Stage 0: Melanoma is in the top layer of skin and hasn’t spread. Easily treated with surgery.
• Stage I: Under 2mm with no spread to lymph nodes.
• Stage II: Over 2mm and may have ulceration but hasn’t spread.
• Stage III: Melanoma has spread to nearby lymph nodes or skin. Requires more aggressive treatments.
• Stage IV: Cancer has spread to distant organs like the lungs, liver, or brain. Treated with immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or radiation.

Early-Stage Melanoma Treatment

For early-stage melanoma, surgery is the main option. The surgeon removes the tumor along with a margin of healthy skin to ensure all cancerous cells are eliminated. 

In many cases, this procedure is curative. Sometimes, a sentinel lymph node biopsy is also performed to check if the cancer has started spreading to nearby lymph nodes.

Advanced-Stage Melanoma Treatment

For advanced melanoma, a more comprehensive approach is needed. If the melanoma has spread to lymph nodes, surgical removal of those nodes may be necessary. 

Immunotherapy is often used to help the immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells, while targeted therapies focus on specific genetic mutations, such as the BRAF mutation, to halt cancer growth. 

Radiation therapy may be recommended to shrink tumors or manage areas where melanoma has spread, like the brain. Chemotherapy is less common today but remains an option if other treatments prove ineffective.

Can Melanoma Be Completely Cured?

Yes, melanoma can be cured if detected early. Stage 0 and Stage I melanoma have a 98-99% five-year survival rate with surgery alone. However, survival rates drop as the cancer spreads, about 60% for Stage III and 25% for Stage IV.

Consult an Expert Melanoma and Skin Cancer Doctor in Houston, TX.  

Concerned about a mole or spot? Skin Cancer Specialists offers expert skin checks and melanoma screenings. 

Dr. Tarek M. Fakhouri, a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon, leads our practice with expertise honed as the former Director of Mohs Surgery at Wayne State University. 

Call us at 832-364-6184 to schedule your appointment today and get personalized care from Houston’s top melanoma specialist. We serve patients in and around Sugar Land, Conroe, Katy, and Houston, Texas.