Melanoma. The multi-coloured tumour.

Melanoma is one of the most commonly found type of cancers in the population with people between the ages of 30 and 60 most commonly suffering from it.

This tumour is produced by an increase in skin cells or melanocytes with its main causes being:

• Continuous exposure to the sun without sun protection.
• The uncontrolled use of tanning beds.
• The exposition to cresol and the arsenic used in the composition of a number of some pesticides.

People with a higher risk of suffering from this pathology are:

• People with fair skin, blue eyes and ginger.
• Children or adolescents that have suffered sunburns during their childhood.
• Workers exposed to prolonged sun exposure.
• Those with a prior family history (Parents, brothers or sisters, cousins, etc.).
• People with an abundant amount of freckles and moles, especially if they are bigger than 5mm.

Eventhough, it can appear all over the body the areas where they more commonly found are back, legs, arms, hands, fingers and toes, underneath fingernails and rarely, in the inner eye.

With melanoma being a type of cancer that has almost 100% chance of healing when detected early, a prompt diagnosis is essential. For this reason, preventive campaigns taking place both in the USA and Europe are marking a milestone in this field.

The clinical diagnosis of a melanoma is made following these rules that are known all over the world:

Asymmetry - When divided by half, both halves are different.

Borders - These are irregular and with spikes.

Color - A Melanoma can present multiple colors (black, blue, brown).

Diameter - A melanoma usually has a diameter bigger than 6mm.

Bleeding, itching, pain or a rapid increase in size of a mole, are all warning signs for us to visit a specialist promptly.

Treatment

• Conventional surgery or MOHS surgery, which is a technique that has obtained the best results for more severe cases.
• Chemotherapy.
• Radiation therapy only for metastasis of the tumour.
• Immunotherapy.

Research is geared towards the development of personalised vaccines, making this the treatment used to not only treat melanomas, but also other types of cancer in the near future.

A self examination in front of a large mirror with high luminosity, looking and taking pictures of moles in different parts of the body and following the ABCD rules would a great help when providing patients with an early diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. J. Hurtado Martínez

Medical Director of HealthSalus