Skin cancer melanoma is a cancer that begins in the melanocyte cells. Melanocytes are a cell in the skin layer that serves to produce the melanin pigment, which is the color giver on the skin. In patients with melanoma, melanocytes grow abnormally.
One of the most common signs of melanoma is the presence of new moles, or changes in shape, color, or size of the mole.
Only about one percent of the cases of skin cancers are melanoma. However, this type of cancer includes the most dangerous skin cancer because it can spread to other parts of the body quickly if there is no early treatment. Therefore, early detection of melanoma skin cancer is very important.
Melanoma statistics
According to WHO data, there are about 132,000 cases of melanoma emerge annually throughout the world. Every 3 cases of cancer are found one case of melanoma and this estimated skin cancer will continue to increase because the ozone layer in the sky is constantly thinning. 10 percent ozone layer reduction alone can lead to increased incidence of melanoma skin cancer, amounting to 4500 additional new cases.
The risk of melanoma greater affects women under 40 years of age. This type of skin cancer can be fatal if not diagnosed in the beginning.
How many types of melanoma cancer?
Melanoma cancer consists of four types, namely:
Superficial Spreading melanoma
This condition includes the most common. Usually most often appears on the torso or limb. Cancer cells tend to grow along the top surface of the skin for some time before it finally starts to grow into a deeper layer of skin.
Nodular melanoma
This condition includes the second most common type that appears most frequently. This type of skin cancer usually appears on the torso, such as the head, or neck.
This one type tends to grow faster than other types. It is usually black, but it can also appear red, pink, or resemble your skin tone.
Lentigo Maligna melanoma
This type tends to occur less frequently. Usually, this type of skin cancer attacks older people, especially in the body that most exposure to the sun.
Generally, this condition begins with the appearance of blemishes on the skin. The cancer will then grow slowly before finally starting to grow into a deeper layer of skin.
Acral lentiginous Melanoma
This type includes the rarest. It generally appears in the palm, foot, or under the nail.
Usually, this type of melanoma skin cancer most often affects people with dark skin.
In addition, this condition has no relation to sun exposure.
Skin Cancer Melanoma Causes
Melanoma occurs when skin pigment cells develop abnormally. Until now, it is not yet known why this happened. Some people assume the cause of melanoma due to skin that is too often exposed to ultraviolet (UV) natural or artificial rays. But apparently not everyone who is often exposed to UV become a melanoma sufferer.
Researchers are still trying to find out why. Some factors that are known to increase the likelihood of infectious melanoma are having many moles or spots in the skin, pale-skinned and flammable, have family members suffering from melanoma, as well as those that are red or blonde hair.
Skin Cancer Melanoma Symptoms
Melanoma can be started visible from changes in the size, shape or color of the existing mole or skin spots. This process can take several weeks to several months. Melanoma usually has a form of irregular, messy, and uneven colors. Melanoma emerges on the surface of the skin and looks like normal dirt. Melanoma can grow rapidly and cause lesions around it.
Learn more about Signs of Melanoma Skin Cancer That Needs To Be Aware of
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