Melanoma: Alert symptoms – Detect it early

Let’s start talking about what is melanoma. Melanoma is a name given to a skin cancer that can appear anywhere, but it develops frequently in areas of the skin that are mostly exposed to sunlight. It is not an extrict rule, because there are melanomas that can appear on the bottom of the feet or even in areas not exposed to sunlight. In this article you will find ways to detect melanoma and treat it on time.

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People with lighter skin are more likely to develop this kind of cancer, and it also can be genetic. The number of melanoma cases have increased in people under forty years old, especially in teenagers and women.

Like other types of cancer, melanoma can be successfully treated – if it is detected early. Below, there is information that will help you to recognize symptoms and signs that a melanoma can be malignant – but it is still in its early stages:

1. Changes in moles

Moles are nothing more than benign proliferations of the skin, and most people have it. A mole that is considered normal has the size of a pencil eraser – can be slightly raised or flat. They cause no harm and can disappear as we get older, but you have to pay attention to them, because moles should not present noticeable changes. If a mole starts changing shape, size, color and/or texture, it is recommended you call your doctor.

2. Swelling, pain or redness

If a mole starts presenting swelling or redness around it, with or without pain, it can be a good idea show it to your doctor, because sometimes this is a fact that remains unnoticed, especially if there is no pain or if the mole is located in an area that is not easy to see.

3. Changes in pigmentation

Pay attention to the skin around a mole; if it starts to get darker and different from the skin on the rest of the body, it can be a sign of melanoma. The change in pigmentation of the skin is another symptom that can be hard to notice if the mole is located in an area that is not easy to see (like the back, the top of the head or the back of the legs).

4. Sensitivity or itching

If a mole starts itching or you are feeling sensitivity and pain, these symptoms will draw your attention, regardless if the mole is easy to see or not. These symptoms (itching, sensitivity and pain) are the ones that show the greatest possibilities to detect a melanoma before it progresses too much. If you are presenting these symptoms, call your doctor. It may not be a melanoma, but worth an examination.

5. Oozing or bleeding

If the surface of a mole is presenting any type of change, it may be a reason to worry about. If it is scaly or detaching dry skin, you must pay attention. In addition, if appears a bump or lump on or near the mole, it should be considered as a symptom. If a mole is bleeding or presents a secretion of any type, call your doctor.

The symptoms presented here are the first signs of a melanoma. If they are not treated as soon as possible, the probability is that they will worse in a progressive way. Melanoma is an affection that can appear not only on the skin, but in areas as under a nail (hands or feet), the iris of the eye, the mouth or any other place – ask your doctor about it. If you notice a new blemish or mole on your skin that were not there when you were younger, make periodic examinations.

Hidden melanomas

As the name suggests, “hidden melanomas” do not appear in a visible area, as the skin melanomas. They generally appear in areas where is hard to notice them.

People who have darker skin are more likely to develop hidden melanomas, according to Mayo Clinic (1).

Some of the hidden melanomas are:

– Melanoma under a nail. This melanoma is called acral lentiginous melanoma; it is a rare form of this affection and can appear under a nail (hands or feet), on the palms of the hands or the bottom of the feet. People who have a darker skin are more likely to develop this affection.

– Melanoma in the mouth, digestive tract, urinary tract or vagina. It is known as mucous melanoma, because it develops in the mucous membrane that covers the nose, mouth, esophagus, anus, urinary tract and vagina. Other diseases can be confused with this type of melanoma – that is why it is particularly hard to detect it.

– Melanoma in the eye. This type of melanoma is also called “ocular melanoma”, and it appears more frequently in the uvea, that is the layer below the white part of the eye (sclera). An eye examination can detect a melanoma in the eye, since this melanoma can cause changes in the way you see.

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