How Melanoma is formed
To put it as simply as possible, Melanoma is the uncontrolled growth of skin cells. The skin cells continue to grow and eventually form a mass, or a tumor. This tumor can either be benign, which is non-cancerous and Melanoma has not formed, or malignant, which means that the tumor contains cancerous cells and Melanoma is present. Melanoma is usually not life threatening if it is detected early and treated quickly. If it spreads to the internal organs like the brain or liver, however, this type of cancer can be fatal.
Although there are a few things that can cause Melanoma, it is most likely caused by too much exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays. People who have been severely sunburnt multiple times throughout their lives are more likely to be diagnosed with Melanoma than those who use proper sun protectants like sun screen, and are therefore protected from these UV rays. Due to the fact that people with fair skin are more prone to burning, they are also more prone to being diagnosed with Melanoma.
Treatment options for Melanoma
Fortunately, there are many treatment options available to those who have been diagnosed with this type of skin cancer. It is important to note, however, that due to Melanoma being the most aggressive type of skin cancer, the less invasive procedures will not be as effective as the more complex, surgical treatments. Before choosing any one procedure, you will want to talk it over extensively with your doctor to be sure you understand exactly what will happen before, during, and after treatment.
The following procedures are some treatment options for skin cancer:
• Topical chemotherapy—With this type of treatment, a topical medication will be applied to the affected area of skin. Although topical chemotherapy can be effective for some less aggressive forms of skin cancer, it may not be ideal for Melanoma. This is because topical treatments typically only work well on the topmost layer of skin, possibly leaving behind cancerous cells that may be deeper within the dermis. The good thing about topical chemotherapy is that it is noninvasive, and you can apply the treatments by yourself at home.
• Cryotherapy—Cryotherapy is the freezing of cancerous skin lesions so that these cells die and eventually fall off. Cryotherapy is used to treat many different types of cancers, but a more aggressive type of treatment may be needed for Melanoma.
• Mohs Surgery—This is the most common and effective type of treatment for Melanoma skin cancer. Doctors will remove layers of skin, little by little, until the entire affected area of skin is completely treated and the cancer is no longer present. Mohs Surgery is ideal for people with Melanoma because although you must undergo a surgical procedure, the least amount of skin possible is taken so that scarring is minimal, and it has a 99% cure rate for those with newly formed skin cancer.
For best skin cancer treatment results, it’s important to catch the warning signs early on and to seek medical attention immediately.
