What Makes Melanoma So Dangerous?
Published: Apr 25, 2024
Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer that can spread to other parts of the body. It's important to understand its characteristics and growth patterns to catch it early.
Contents
Melanoma Basics
Melanoma is a form of aggressive skin cancer that can spread unpredictably to any organ. The earlier it's diagnosed and treated, the better the chances of reducing its impact. Key factors influencing treatment include the thickness of the tumor and whether it has spread to other areas.
Growth Phases Explained
Melanoma grows in two phases: radial and vertical. In the radial phase, it often remains on the skin's surface and is easier to treat. The vertical phase is more dangerous as the cancer cells grow deeper into the skin, increasing the risk of spreading.
Subtypes of Melanoma
Melanoma can present in various subtypes like superficial spreading, nodular, lentigo maligna, and acral lentiginous. Each subtype has unique characteristics, which can affect how they are treated and their potential for spreading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer that can spread to other body parts.
Early detection allows for easier treatment before the cancer spreads deeply.
Melanoma grows in radial and vertical phases, with the vertical phase being more dangerous.
They include superficial spreading, nodular, lentigo maligna, and acral lentiginous.
Key Takeaways
Understanding melanoma's characteristics and growth phases is crucial for early intervention.
Get started on learning more about melanoma by discussing it with Doctronic.Related Articles
References
Siegel RL, Miller KD, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2019. CA Cancer J Clin 2019; 69:7.
Magro CM, Crowson AM, Mihm MC Jr. The Melanocytic Proliferations: A Comprehensive Textbook of Pigmented Lesions, 2nd ed, Wiley, 2014.
Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.