Melanoma is also known as cutaneous melanoma or malignant melanoma. It is a type of skin disease in which there is a development of the cancerous cells in the melanocytes. These cells change the color of the skin. The melanocytes present in the skin are also noticed to be present in various other parts of the body like the eyes. This cancer can be cured only with proper treatment in the early stage.

It has been proved from the research that melanoma is caused due to the radiation of ultraviolet rays. There are even other causes which can include change or loss of suppressing genes of tumor and frequent usage of sun beds. Melanoma can be detected by diagnosing the moles which are irregular in shape or color.

Symptoms of Melanoma

Melanoma is generally believed to be caused due to excessive radiation from the sunlight and improper use of sunscreen lotions which are helpful to protect the skin from extreme sunlight. This cancer cannot be developed just by few sessions of sun burn. This cancer can take about 15 to 23 years of extreme damage of the skin due to ultraviolet radiation to show the symptoms of it.

One of the most common symptoms of melanoma noticed is the change in the skin color. Some other symptoms of it can be found to appear as a sore or a lump beneath the skin and rough surface of the skin. The symptom having the light colored skin is a common form of melanoma. This cancer can be very dangerous when the malignant cells disturb the growth of normal cells that are useful in protecting the skin.
The skin has two layers namely the dermis which is the inner layer and the epidermis which is the outer layer responsible to provide the color to the skin. If the ability of the epidermis which protects the skin of arm, neck, back and legs is weaken, then it is considered to develop the symptom of melanoma.

With respect to the advanced stage of melanoma known as the malignant melanoma, the symptoms noticed are variation in the mole size, color or shape. There can be bleeding moles or itching moles.

Signs of Melanoma

If you find any mole on your skin which is dark in color or has a fast growth in size and thickness, then it is the signal for its check up. Some of the signs of melanoma warned by the experts include irregular border, asymmetry, variation in the color and diameter of the mole more than 6mm. In the case of men, these signs of melanoma are usually found on the trunk, neck and head areas whereas, in the women, these signs are usually found on the legs and then the trunk portion.

The major risk factors of melanoma include skin cancer developed previously, hereditary of melanoma and radiation during the childhood. As there is no special dug found for the melanoma, high risk factors means more alertness and avoid the exposure to sunlight.