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Melanoma accounts for roughly 1% of skin cancers, but this form develops in the melanocytes and spreads more readily than other skin cancers. A melanoma dermatologist examines suspicious spots; this specialist identifies changes that differ from other skin growths. The average diagnosis age is 65, yet melanoma can appear at any age, so recognizing skin changes supports timely evaluation.
Recognizing Melanoma Skin Changes
A melanoma dermatologist looks for new spots or existing spots that change in color, size, or shape. Melanoma also produces unusual patches; these growths differ from other marks on the skin. Some spots resemble common moles, so a specialist reviews marks that raise concern; this examination helps distinguish melanoma from noncancerous growths.
Understanding Where Melanoma Forms
Melanoma can develop anywhere on the skin; its location differs between men and women. Women tend to develop melanoma on the legs, while men are more likely to develop it on the chest or back. Less common sites include the mouth, eyes, and genitals, so a skin examination includes areas that might be overlooked. Women have higher rates before age 50, while men have higher rates overall. Melanoma occurs across age groups; the average diagnosis age is 65, so age alone does not rule out the disease.
A board-certified dermatologist examines the skin and asks questions about health, medications, symptoms, and family history. If a spot looks like skin cancer, the dermatologist numbs the area and removes all or part of it during a skin biopsy; the removed tissue goes to a laboratory for examination. A biopsy is the only way to know for sure whether a spot is skin cancer, so the procedure provides definitive confirmation.
A dermatopathologist examines the tissue under a microscope. The pathology report identifies the melanoma type, depth, and growth rate, and it can include the stage when the available information allows that determination. Melanoma stages range from 0 to 4, and the stage helps determine treatment.
Treating Melanoma Effectively
Treatment depends on how deeply the melanoma has grown, whether it has spread, and overall health. Surgery is frequently used for melanoma, and early melanoma can be treated with excision or Mohs surgery. During Mohs surgery, the patient remains awake, and the surgeon removes the least amount of tissue required to treat the cancer.
Mohs surgery with special IHC stains has a reported 99.5% cure rate for early-stage melanoma. Advanced melanoma requires more complex treatment, and surgery can be combined with other options. These options include lymphadenectomy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, clinical trials, adoptive T-cell therapy, and palliative care.
Visit a Melanoma Dermatologist
A melanoma dermatologist examines suspicious skin changes, and a biopsy provides definitive confirmation when cancer is suspected. Early detection helps prevent melanoma from spreading, while treatment depends on the cancer’s stage and other health factors. New or changing spots deserve evaluation, so a board-certified dermatologist can examine the area and determine whether further testing is needed. Schedule an evaluation to get checked today for Melanoma by calling a specialist in your area.
