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Malignant Melanoma: What You Need to Know
Malignant melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can be deadly if not detected and treated early. It’s important to learn the warning signs of malignant melanoma and take the necessary steps to ensure early detection and successful treatment.
What Is Malignant Melanoma?
Malignant melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer that’s caused by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing skin cells, known as melanocytes. People with malignant melanoma can experience a variety of symptoms and side effects, including skin lesions, lesions on the soles and palms, skin that appears darker than normal, and lesions that ulcerate or bleed.
Malignant Melanoma Warning Signs and Risk Factors
Common warning signs of malignant melanoma include moles or other skin spots that grow in size, change shape or color, itch, or start to bleed. Additionally, people with certain risk factors, such as a family history of malignant melanoma, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, or having a lot of moles, may be more at risk for developing malignant melanoma.
Early Treatment and Health for Malignant Melanoma
Early detection is key to achieving successful treatment for malignant melanoma. It’s important to monitor your skin for any changes and to go to the doctor right away if you experience any new or suspicious skin lesions.
Your doctor may recommend a biopsy to determine if a skin lesion is malignant melanoma. If it is, then further treatment may be necessary to prevent the cancer from spreading and to manage any side effects.
Treatment for malignant melanoma usually involves surgery to remove the affected tissue, as well as follow-up chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of treatments. Your doctor can help you decide on the best course of treatment for your situation.
Malignant Melanoma Prevention
Even though some people may be at higher risk for developing malignant melanoma, it can be prevented with a few simple measures. Here are some tips you can follow to protect yourself from malignant melanoma:
- Avoiding direct and prolonged exposure to UV radiation.
- Wearing sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 15.
- Avoiding tanning beds.
- Having any suspicious lesions checked by a doctor.
- Performing regular self-exams to check for changes in existing moles or new ones.
Remember, if you experience any warning signs of malignant melanoma, it’s important to take the necessary steps to get early treatment and health.