Melanoma

Melanoma represents just 1% of all skin cancers, yet it causes the most deaths. It’s also one of the most common cancers diagnosed in young adults. With early treatment provided by Gangaram Ragi, MD, at Saddle River Skin and Mohs Surgery, LLC, this deadly cancer is curable, so don’t wait to schedule an appointment if you notice unusual moles or bumps on your body. Call the office in Saddle River, New Jersey, or use online booking to schedule a skin exam today.

What should I know about melanoma?

Melanoma is the least common of the three primary types of skin cancer, but it’s the most dangerous because it spreads (metastasizes). 

Though melanoma is highly curable when diagnosed and treated at an early stage, without treatment, it grows deep into the skin, reaches lymph nodes, and metastasizes to other areas of your body. Once melanoma spreads, it’s difficult to treat.

How can I recognize melanoma?

Melanoma is known as the type of skin cancer that begins in an existing mole. However, 70-80% of all melanomas appear as a new lesion resembling a mole.

Melanoma often begins in areas exposed to the sun, including your legs, chest, and back. It’s also essential to know that melanoma can appear anywhere on your body — even in areas that aren’t exposed to sunlight and places you may not expect, like under your fingernails.

In addition to looking for new skin growths, you should also watch for changes in existing moles, such as:

• Asymmetrical shape (one side looks different from the other)
• Uneven borders (healthy moles have even, smooth borders)
• Change in color (melanoma causes different shades of tan, black, red, blue, and white)
• Large moles (moles larger than a pencil eraser may be cancerous)

Your risk for melanoma depends on issues like your accumulated exposure to ultraviolet light (sunlight and tanning beds), the number of moles on your body, and having fair skin.

What is nodular melanoma?

All melanomas can spread, but nodular melanoma is the most aggressive and fastest-growing form. The nodular type accounts for 10-15% of all melanomas and typically causes blue-black, pink, or red bumps on the torso, legs, arms, and scalp.

How is melanoma treated?

Your Saddle River Skin and Mohs Surgery, LLC, provider treats melanoma with surgery to remove the tumor. They usually perform a surgical excision to remove the cancer but may recommend Mohs surgery if you have certain types of melanoma and it hasn’t spread.

If melanoma penetrates into deeper skin layers, they also check the nearest lymph node for signs of metastasis. If your cancer has spread, you will need other oncology treatments, such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or chemotherapy.

Call Saddle River Skin and Mohs Surgery, LLC, or book an appointment online at the first sign of melanoma or schedule a skin exam.