What is melanoma?

Melanoma is a cancer that arises in pigment cells of the skin (melanocytes). If not detected early, it has the capacity to spread through blood vessels and lymph channels to other parts of the body.

Australia has some of the highest rates of melanoma in the world

What causes melanoma?

Most melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or solariums.

What does a melanoma look like?

More than half of melanomas begin as a new spot that is flat, light brown to black in colour and looks like a mole. Unlike moles, melanomas will grow progressively larger at a rate that will often be detected over a few months. As they grow, there will be changes in shape and colour the spot becomes increasingly irregular in shape or variable in colour.

There are melanomas that are not pigmented and are mainly pink or red in colour.  There are others that have no ‘flat’ phase and may bleed repeatedly.

How is a melanoma diagnosed?

If you have a suspicious spot, consult your GP who will examine it and may refer you to a dermatologist. The spot may be biopsied or excised completely and this will be sent to pathologist for assessment.

How is Melanoma treated?

All melanomas are treated by excising with a wide margin which will depend on the depth of the melanoma.  Melanomas that are detected early may not require any further treatment. Melanomas that have spread beyond a certain depth may require other treatments such as immunotherapy.

What is the prognosis?

Melanomas that are detected early and treated have a very good prognosis, that is they are low risk of spreading and becoming life threatening.

The depth of the melanoma (thickness), ulceration (surface breakdown and crusting) and the stage of melanoma (how advanced and how far spread it already is) can influence an individual’s risk of the spread from melanoma.