O melanoma is a type of cancer that arises from melanocytes, cells responsible for the manufacture of melanin, a substance that gives color to the skin. One melanoma it can originate in healthy skin or from preexisting pigmented lesions, causing changes in its size, color or texture. This type of cancer has a great potential to produce metastases, sending tumor cells to other organs, where they will develop.
Most common in fair-skinned people, you melanomas they appear more often in areas of the body that are exposed to solar radiation, but they can also appear in areas of the body that are protected from the sun.
When in the initial phase, the melanoma it is restricted to the most superficial layer of the skin, making its diagnosis and treatment easier at this stage. As it progresses, it increases in size, changing its original colors, forming wounds, small scabs, bleeding and itching. When the melanoma form a raised lesion on the skin is a sign that it is increasing in depth. The deeper the damage, the more severe the damage, as the risk of metastases to other regions of the body increases.
At lesions caused by melanomas have some characteristics that make them easier to be recognized, remembering that the appearance of any change in the skin should be investigated by a specialist doctor, which in this case is a dermatologist.
→ The lesion is usually asymmetric, that is, it has an irregular shape;
→ Edges of the lesion are usually irregular, as if the spot were blurred;
→ Varied coloration: the stains can present shades of black, brown, pink, gray, blue, white or red;
→ Generally, melanomas start with small spots that gradually increase.
People who are heavily exposed to the sun should be aware of the appearance of new signs on the skin and also old signs that are suffering any type of change, such as color change to lighter or darker, increase in size, bleeding, itching and inflammation. These signs justify a visit to the dermatologist for more detailed clinical examinations.
If diagnosed early, while still on the surface of the skin, the melanoma can be cured. However, if the melanoma progressing and being discovered when it is thick and deep means that the disease is already widespread, that is, it has reached other parts of the body, making it difficult to be controlled. People who have already submitted melanoma once they have more risks of presenting melanoma again.
O melanoma treatment it can be done through surgery, chemotherapy, biological therapy or radiotherapy and will depend on some factors such as: age of the patient, general health status of the person, stage of the disease, among others. When not treated at the beginning, the melanoma can progress, possibly leading to the individual's death.
To prevent melanoma, some precautions need to be taken, such as:
→ Avoid sun exposure between 10am and 4pm;
→ Always use sunscreen;
→ Wear long-sleeved blouses and a hat to protect yourself from the sun;
→ Always do a skin self-examination. If you find any changes, look for a specialist for more detailed examinations.
By Paula Louredo
Graduated in Biology
