Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can affect anyone at any age. It usually develops on the portion of the skin frequently exposed to the sun. Several health websites have pictures of melanoma skin cancer that show what the symptoms look like in the initial days after they develop on the body. Identifying the symptoms early can help reduce the risks associated with the condition and help people cope better.

What are the causes of melanoma cancer?

• Melanoma cancer occurs when the DNA strands present in the melanocytes (a type of skin cell responsible for pigmentation) start mutating.
• The mutation usually occurs in the stage where old cells die, and new cells replace these cells. In this condition, the new cells grow uncontrollably, eventually forming a mass of cancerous cells.
• The reason for this mutation is not clear yet. But, oncologists from across the world have found that one of the reasons why cells might mutate is due to the overexposure of UV rays.
• However, doctors regard gene and cell mutation as the main cause for melanomas developing on skin surfaces that are not directly exposed to the sun or UV rays.

What are the risk factors for melanoma cancer?

Following are some risk factors that might result in melanoma cancer:

• History of sunburns : Studies have revealed that blistering due to severe skin burns can result in abnormal skin growth, eventually leading to melanoma cancer.
• Skin coloration : Skin pigmentation might play an important role in the development of melanoma cancer. Research has shown that people with less melanin are more prone to develop melanoma cancer as compared to individuals with more melanin.
• Living in areas with maximum UV exposure due to the sun : This includes living at a higher elevation, closer to the equator or next to beaches. These are the places that receive direct sunlight and thus the maximum UV radiation.
• Family genetics : If a close relative like a parent or a sibling has a history of melanoma cancer, then the person’s chances of developing similar symptoms increase too.

What are hidden melanomas?

Unfortunately, this type of skin cancer can develop on skin surfaces that have little or no exposure to the sun. Refer to melanoma pictures that illustrate growth in hidden areas. Some hidden melanomas include:

• Melanoma near the urinary tract or reproductive organs : This is a rare type of melanoma that develops in the mucous membrane of the urinary tract or vagina. Even with melanoma pictures available online, it might be difficult to detect this because it can be mistaken for other common skin ailments.
• Melanoma in the eye : Also referred to as ocular melanoma, it usually occurs in the uvea region- the layer present beneath sclera (white of the eye). This type of melanoma might cause vision changes that can be diagnosed during an eye exam.
• Melanoma of the nail : A rare form of melanoma, Acral-lentiginous or nail melanoma occurs under the fingernail or the toenail. If you were to look up pictures of this type of melanoma, you’d discover that it can also be found on the soles of the feet or palms of the hand. This is usually common in people with darker skin complexion.

What are the symptoms of melanoma cancer?

Warning signs of melanoma cancer range from the development of a new spot or mole, to discoloration of the skin. Apart from this, there is an “ABCDE” theory that is popular among oncologists and doctors. This theory helps in identifying the signs and symptoms by labeling various features of the abnormal mole. One can refer to melanoma pictures that use the ‘ABCDE’ theory to differentiate between normal and malignant moles.

• A is for asymmetry, where one half of the mole does not match the other half.
• B stands for border, where the edges are irregular, notched, blurred, and ragged.
• C denotes color. This helps in spotting discoloration or irregular pigmentation of the skin.
• D is for diameter, which denotes a spot larger than 6mm that could prove to be malignant.
• E stands for evolving, which refers to the ever-changing nature of the mole.

Other warning signs might include:

• Redness or swelling beyond the border of the mole.
• Change in the surface of the mole. This might include oozing, bleeding, or formation of an irregular lump or bump.
• Pigmentation of the mole and the skin surrounding it.