![]() But every year, about 2 in 10,000 Americans develop melanoma ( 9). How many people have melanoma? Melanoma is much less common than other kinds of skin cancer.What is the surface texture? May have a smooth, slightly scaly, or rough, irregular, and pebbly appearance.What shape are they? Have irregular or notched edges.What color are they? May be a mixture of tan, brown, and red or pink shades.How big are they? Often wider than 5 millimeters (wider than a new pencil eraser).How many people have dysplastic nevi? About 1 in 10 Americans-about 33 million people-have at least one dysplastic nevus ( 3, 4, 6– 8).A dysplastic nevus is more likely than a common mole to become cancer, but most do not become cancer. May become raised and form a smooth bump. What is the surface texture? Begins as a flat, smooth spot on the skin.A common mole has a distinct edge that separates it from the rest of the skin. What shape are they? Usually round or oval.What color are they? May be pink, tan, brown, black (in people with dark skin), or a color that is very close to a person’s normal skin tone.How big are they? Usually less than 5 millimeters wide, or about 1/4 inch (not as wide as a new pencil eraser).How many people have common moles? Most Americans-about 327 million people-have common moles.Also, melanoma can spread to other parts of the body. Another important difference is that a common mole or dysplastic nevus will not return after it is removed by a full excisional biopsy from the skin, but melanoma sometimes grows back. The list below summarizes some differences between moles and cancer. More photos are on the What Does Melanoma Look Like? page.Ĭommon moles, dysplastic nevi, and melanoma vary by size, color, shape, and surface texture. Several photos of melanomas are shown here. However, some may show only one or two of the ABCDE features ( 5). Melanomas can vary greatly in how they look. The mole has changed over the past few weeks or months. Melanomas can be tiny, but most are larger than 6 millimeters wide (about 1/4 inch wide). There is a change in size, usually an increase. Areas of white, gray, red, pink, or blue may also be seen. Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present. The pigment may spread into the surrounding skin. The edges are often ragged, notched, or blurred in outline. The shape of one half does not match the other half. The "ABCDE" rule describes the features of early melanoma ( 2, 5): Melanoma may also appear as a new colored area on the skin. ![]() Often the first sign of melanoma is a change in the shape, color, size, or feel of an existing mole. When it does develop in people with dark skin, it is often found under the fingernails, under the toenails, on the palms of the hands, or on the soles of the feet. ![]() People with dark skin are much less likely than people with fair skin to develop melanoma. When melanoma develops in women, it is often found on the back or on the lower legs. ![]() When melanoma develops in men, it is often found on the head, neck, or back. In addition, melanoma can also develop in the eye, the digestive tract, and other areas of the body. It can develop from a common mole or dysplastic nevus, and it can also develop in an area of apparently normal skin. Most melanocytes are in the skin, and melanoma can occur on any skin surface. The earlier that melanoma is detected and removed, the more likely that treatment will be successful. It is potentially dangerous because it can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body, such as the lung, liver, bone, or brain. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in melanocytes. Should people have a doctor remove a dysplastic nevus or a common mole to prevent it from changing into melanoma? For people who also have a family history of melanoma, doctors may suggest a more frequent skin exam, such as every 3 to 6 months ( 3). For people with many (more than five) dysplastic nevi, doctors may conduct a skin exam once or twice a year because of the moderately increased chance of melanoma. Sometimes people or their doctors take photographs of dysplastic nevi so changes over time are easier to see ( 2). The skin on the surface becomes dry or scaly.Īnother thing that people with dysplastic nevi should do is get their skin examined by a doctor ( 2, 4).It changes in shape, texture, or height.People should tell their doctor if they see any of the following changes in a dysplastic nevus ( 2): In addition, many doctors recommend that people with dysplastic nevi check their skin once a month ( 2, 4). Everyone should protect their skin from the sun and stay away from sunlamps and tanning booths, but for people who have dysplastic nevi, it is even more important to protect the skin and avoid getting a suntan or sunburn.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |