Melanoma is a skin cancer that occurs when the pigment-producing skin cells (melanocytes) turn cancerous. These cells can cause a mole or tumor to grow or increase in size, which leads to itching and scaling. There is no definitive cause of melanomas, but too much UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds can affect the melanocytes’ DNA. It causes the pigment-producing cells to overgrow, leading to melanoma. Read on to know more about this disease.

Symptoms
Patients of melanoma are most likely to experience the following symptoms:

• An unusual growth on the skin in the form of an asymmetrical mole is a sign of a melanocyte tumor. This mole can be crusty, unevenly colored, itchy, or have irregular borders. One must check whether the size of this mole is bigger than a quarter of an inch and whether it grows over the days. This is one of the most prominent signs of melanoma.
• Melanoma can also affect the eyes, so if one notices a dark spot in their eye and a disturbance in vision, they should immediately consult a doctor.
• Melanoma can also grow inside the mouth and the urinary, digestive, and nasal tracts. These hidden melanomas do not manifest prominent symptoms.

Treatment
The various treatment methods for melanoma include:

• Surgery if an individual is diagnosed with stage I melanoma. Tumors restricted to the upper layer of the skin can be treated by surgery, but it leaves a slight scar on the skin.
• If it spreads to the nearby lymph nodes, a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) might be prescribed for patients with stage II melanoma. This might be followed by an ultrasound of the nodes to examine and determine the possibility of recurrence.
• Stage III and stage IV melanoma are when cancer reaches distant lymph nodes and organs like the brain, making it difficult to treat. In such cases, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are used for treatment.

Prevention
One can decrease their risk of developing melanoma by following these precautionary measures:

• When going out in the sun, one should wear clothes that protect the skin. Long-sleeved shirts and trousers that stretch out to cover the skin prevent the sun rays from directly hitting the skin and affecting it. Some brands also sell clothes specifically designed to protect the skin from UV radiation. Wearing a large hat can also reduce the risk of melanoma.
• One should avoid venturing out in the sun at noon. Sun rays are the most harmful from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and one can get a sunburn because of UV radiation even if it’s a gloomy day. Suntanning for prolonged periods should also be avoided as it can lead to melanoma.
• Wearing sunscreen helps as it forms a protective layer over the skin.
• It’s best to skip any spa sessions that include tanning beds and lamps. They emit UV rays that can cause skin abnormalities.