A common skin sign of melanoma is the cancerous mole. It is a skin cancer type. It may be an existing mole or a new one changing. Of course, not every changing or new mole can be termed cancerous. Thus one must know how to identify and deal with a cancerous mole.
Melanoma is a skin cancer form and the most serious type. It spreads fast to other body parts, and treatment is difficult. Getting an early diagnosis improves the outlook. It pays if you stay vigilant. Excessive UV radiation exposure leads to cancerous moles. It is crucial to take precautions by wearing protective clothing, limiting sun exposure, and using sunscreen.
Why is a mole cancerous?
A mole is cancerous and is due to DNA damage in skin cells. These mutations or changes result in the cells when they grow out of control and rapidly. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer, occurring when melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells mutate and divide uncontrollably.
Exposure to sunlight increases melanin production to safeguard the skin from U rays. Darker skin produces melanin more than lighter skin. Cancerous moles occur in both skin types, while in darker skin it is aggressive.
Moles are melanocytes clusters. The damaged melanocytes in rapid division cause cancerous moles development. However, not all moles are dangerous; there are harmless moles, as well. Some inherit gene mutations from parents, and it increases cancerous mole’s development.
Signs and symptoms
Identifying a cancerous mole in the melanoma early stages is difficult. People should check regularly their skin for change signs, such as existing mole appearance or change. The symptoms are:
- Skin change, having a new mole or an existing mole size, shape, or color changes.
- A moles that bleeds or is itchy
- A mole that is not painful, tender, or fails to heal
- A mole that is smooth, waxy, shiny, or appears pale
- A red, flat spot that is scaly, dry, or rough
- A red, firm lump bleeding or appearing crusty
- A dark or black sport under a toenail or fingernail.
Checking for early melanoma five features include not smooth edges, half a mole looks different, change in size such that it grows larger contains uneven colors and shades, the mole appearance changes in a few weeks.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Early detection and regular examining are helpful. A dermatologist identifies melanomas and abnormal moles by performing a biopsy. The cancerous mole treatment is through surgery to remove the mole and the surrounding noncancerous tissue. If it has spread to other organs, treatments may include radiation therapy and chemotherapy.