What is melanoma?
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. This condition occurs in the melanocytes, the cells on the skin that produce melanin, the pigment which gives the skin its color. It commonly occurs on the back, arms, legs, and face. Melanoma can even form in the eyes or in the intestine. Usually, people under the age of 40 are likely to develop this condition. Its malignant form can lead to complications and be fatal if not detected early.

Symptoms and causes of melanoma
Melanoma is caused due to harsh exposure to UV light. However, it is sometimes seen even in areas that are not exposed to sunlight.

Common symptoms of melanoma include changes in the appearance of a mole, leading to an irregular shape and growth. Sometimes melanoma is hidden, especially in those with darker skin colors. It can develop on the eyes, under a nail, in the urinary tract, or the intestine.

Treatment for melanoma
The treatment for melanoma is carried out after understanding the stage of cancer. Before starting the treatment, the doctor will carry out a study to understand which stage the cancer is at. Based on the stage of cancer, the treatment process will start.

The stage of cancer is determined through a physical examination of the affected area, either through MRI, CT, or PET scans and blood tests or by taking a biopsy, which is a sample from the affected area.

The stages and treatments are as follows:

Stage 0
This is where the cancer is on the outer epidermal layer. Removal of the tumor and surrounding tissues should be sufficient to treat it at this early stage.

Stage 1A
Here, the tumor would be around 1mm in size. Just like stage 0, the removal of the tumor should be enough to treat this cancer. Follow-up checks would be needed to monitor if there is any new growth.

Stage 1B
Here, the tumor may be 1-2 mm or may have a cracked appearance. Usually, the removal of the tumor is sufficient to treat melanoma.

Stage 2A
The tumor may be 2-4mm and cracked. It wouldn’t have spread to other organs and can be treated through surgery.

Stage 2B
It could be more than 4mm thick and cracked. It would need surgery along with chemotherapy for treatment.

Stage 2C
The tumor is more than 4mm thick and cracked. It would require surgery and chemotherapy.

Stage 3
It would have spread outside the tumor area to the lymph nodes. The removal of lymph nodes would be required with radiation and immunotherapy.

Stage 4
At this stage, cancer may have spread to organs far away from the original site. Surgery and immunotherapy would be needed.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. It can be treated if detected at an early stage.