Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment

Melanoma skin cancer treatment is the most invasive and dangerous form of skin cancer. It can grow deep into the skin and spread to other parts of the body. Because of its aggressive nature, many people fear it. The good news is that melanoma can often be prevented and treated successfully when doctors detect it early.

Public awareness has also helped more people recognise the risks and make lifestyle changes that lower their chances of developing melanoma and other forms of skin cancer. Dermatologists have studied melanoma for decades and continue to guide patients toward better skin protection and early detection.

Understanding Melanoma

Melanoma is a malignant growth that starts in melanocyte cells, which produce skin colour. Sometimes called malignant or cutaneous melanoma, it can spread through the lymphatic system or bloodstream. Because of this, early detection plays a major role in achieving a confident and successful recovery.

It can be surprising that a simple mole may change in size, shape, or colour and develop into a serious health concern. Recognising these changes is the first step toward protecting your skin and overall health.

Melanoma symptoms

Aside from changing moles, melanoma can also appear in several other forms during its development. As melanoma is visible, it’s important to understand particular symptoms that may signal the onset of a malignant growth. Indicators include:

  • Changes affecting an existing mole
  • The appearance of a new spot or discoloured skin
  • A spot that looks similar to an age spot or changing freckle
  • Slowly growing skin appearing similar to scar tissue
  • Darker skin forming an irregular band/s around fingernails or toenails
  • Dark streaks or patches forming under fingernails or toenails which extend to the nail folds

The experts at Pymble Dermatology encourage everyone, regardless of skin colour, to examine their skin regularly. A self-exam helps people notice any new changes in their moles or spots.

A full skin examination at Pymble Dermatology offers a more detailed assessment. It becomes even more effective when paired with total body photography, which provides clear comparisons over time.

Digital monitoring gives ongoing information about mole changes or suspicious growths and also confirms when existing moles remain healthy. These warning signs are known as the ABCDEs of melanoma:

  • Asymmetry: The growth displays two distinct halves in colour, shape or texture.
  • Border: Irregular and ill-defined borders on a growth.
  • Colour: Various colours are evident on the growth, ranging from very light to very dark.
  • Diameter: The majority of metastatic melanomas are at least 6mm wide.
  • Evolving: Unnatural change in size, colour or shape compared to healthy moles.

Kelly et al added the “EFG” criteria (Elevated, Firm, and Growing) to help clinicians diagnose red amelanotic melanomas more accurately. It is important to note that the “ABCD” rule does not appropriately include presentations of red amelanotic melanomas and can be easily misdiagnosed.

As dermatologists are skin experts with specialist qualifications, they achieve the greatest success rates in diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers, including melanoma. A dermatologist should be consulted whenever a growth takes on melanoma characteristics, as correct diagnosis and fast action is essential.

Melanoma Treatment

Most skin growths are harmless. However, if there is any concern, your dermatologist may perform an excisional biopsy to remove the mole or pigmented area.

Laboratory analysis then helps determine if the cancer is malignant and how aggressive it is. These tests also show whether the cancer is still isolated or if it has started to spread.

With this information, your dermatologist can create a melanoma skin cancer treatment plan based on the stage of melanoma development.

When detected early, abnormal melanoma cells remain in the outer layer of the skin. Melanoma does not need to grow very deep to cause harm, and at only 4 mm, it is already considered advanced with the potential to spread to other organs. Doctors remove melanomas surgically at all stages of growth, and many cases require a second wide excision to ensure complete removal, following the Clinical Practice Guidelines for cutaneous melanoma in Australia.

Medical science continues to evolve, and new melanoma treatment Sydney now offer more options for patients with metastatic melanoma. The team at Pymble Dermatology supports these developments and remains available to answer any questions about melanoma or other skin concerns.

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