Melanoma Skin Cancer – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments

Malignant melanoma can be difficult to treat. Early diagnosis and treatment can increase the survival rate of melanoma.

Melanoma Skin Cancer is less common than some other types of skin cancer , but it is more likely to grow and spread. If you have Melanoma Skin Cancer or are close to someone who does, knowing what to expect can help you cope.

Symptoms of Melanoma Skin Cancer: You may have no symptoms in the early stages of melanoma. Or a melanoma may not be painful, or it may not itch or bleed. Most melanomas start as a new skin growth onunmarked skin . The growth can change color, shape or size.

These types of changes are an early sign that Melanoma Skin Cancer is growing . But Melanoma Skin Cancer can also develop in an existing mole or other skin tag . Or it may look like a bruise that doesn’t heal or appears as a brown or black streak under a fingernail or toenail.

Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Once melanoma has been diagnosed and staged, your cancer care team will discuss your treatment options with you. It is important that you think carefully about your choices. You will want to weigh the benefits of each treatment option against the possible risks and side effects of Melanoma Skin Cancer .

What treatments are used for melanoma?

Based on the stage of Melanoma Skin Cancer and other factors, your treatment options may include:

• Surgery;
• Immunotherapy;
• Targeted therapy;
• Chemotherapy;
• Radiation therapy.

Early stage Melanoma Skin Cancer can be treated with surgery alone, but more advanced cancers often require other treatments. Sometimes more than one type of treatment is used.

To learn more about the most common approaches to treating these cancers, see Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment by Stage.

Making Treatment Decisions: It is important to discuss all of your treatment options as well as possible side effects with your treatment team to help make the decision that best suits your needs. Some important things to consider include:

• Your age and general health;
• The stage (extent) of the cancer ;
• The likelihood that the treatment will cure your cancer (or help in some way);
• Your feelings about the possible side effects of the treatment.

You may feel like you need to make a decision quickly, but it’s important to give yourself time to absorb the information you’ve just learned. It’s also very important to ask questions if there’s something you’re not sure about.