Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread rapidly to other areas. However, there are also slow-growing types that may develop over many years.
Melanoma is not as common as other types of skin cancer. However, unlike other skin cancers, melanoma has a high risk of spreading to other areas, which makes it the most dangerous type.
The earlier doctors diagnose and treat a person’s melanoma, the better their outlook. Treatment can stop melanoma from progressing.
This article explores how quickly melanoma can spread, symptoms to look out for, and the steps for effective diagnosis and treatment.
Melanoma can spread quickly, but the prognosis depends on the type of melanoma a person has, how advanced it is, and the person’s overall health.
There are four types of melanoma:
- Superficial spreading melanoma: This is the most common type of melanoma. It spreads outward across the skin’s surface before growing deeper into it.
- Nodular melanoma: These constitute
15% to 20% of melanoma diagnoses. They typically appear as blue-black tumors, though they may sometimes lack pigment. These tumors account for 40% of melanoma-related deaths due to their rapid growth and early metastasis. - Lentigo maligna melanoma: These melanomas are slow-growing. They are often flat, brown, and have irregular borders. They account for
4% to 15% of melanoma cases people have. - Acral lentiginous melanoma: These rare lesions are brown or black and usually start in the nailbeds or on the palms or soles of the feet. Because of this, doctors
often cannot diagnose it early, making its outlook worse than other types of melanoma.
Some melanomas can spread within a few months, while others may grow more slowly. It is not possible to predict how quickly melanoma will progress with certainty.
Doctors stage melanoma to determine how advanced it is. There are
- Stage 0: At this point, the melanoma cells are noninvasive and remain confined to the skin’s top layer.
- Stage 1 and 2: These melanomas penetrate deeper into the skin, and doctors consider them invasive.
- Stage 3: At stage 3, the cancer has spread regionally to nearby tissues or lymph nodes.
- Stage 4: If melanoma metastasizes to distant organs, it advances to stage 4.
Around
The 5-year survival rate for regional melanoma is 74%, while for distant melanoma, it is 35%.
Determining if melanoma has spread requires professional medical evaluation. However, some signs melanoma has spread include the appearance of new symptoms or changes in existing symptoms.
Symptoms that melanoma has metastasized to other tissues and organs will depend on where the cancer has spread but may include:
- enlarged lymph nodes
- unexplained weight loss
- a persistent cough or difficulty breathing
- bone pain
- neurological symptoms, such as headaches, seizures, or vision changes
However, these symptoms can be the result of various other conditions, making self-diagnosis unreliable.
Anyone with these symptoms should seek medical attention promptly for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate care.
Melanoma can present in various ways, but common symptoms
- new moles, growths, or spots on the skin
- changes in an existing mole, such as its size, shape, color, or texture
- moles that bleed, itch, or hurt
- moles with multiple colors or an uneven distribution of color
People should talk with a healthcare professional if they notice changes in their skin, such as new growths, changes in existing moles, or other symptoms.
Early detection and diagnosis are critical for successfully treating melanoma. Therefore, regular self-examinations of the skin and periodic professional evaluations are advisable.
Diagnosis of melanoma
Next, a doctor may order:
- Biopsy: A biopsy involves removing a small sample of skin for laboratory analysis to determine if it is cancerous.
- Imaging tests: Tests, such as X-rays or CT, MRI, or PET scans, can help doctors check if melanoma has spread to other areas.
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy: This procedure checks if cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Treatment options for melanoma depend on the stage and location of the cancer and the person’s overall health. Common treatments
- surgery to remove the melanoma and some surrounding healthy tissue
- immunotherapy, which boosts the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells
- targeted therapy, which involves taking medications that specifically target cancer cells
- radiation therapy, which uses high energy rays to kill cancer cells
- chemotherapy, which uses drugs to kill cancer cells
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about melanoma.
Can you have melanoma for years and not know?
Yes, some melanomas can develop slowly. For example, lentigo maligna melanoma can grow
Do you feel unwell with melanoma?
Not always. Early stage melanoma may not cause any symptoms other than changes in the skin. As melanoma progresses and spreads, symptoms, such as fatigue, pain, or weight loss, may occur.
How long can you live with untreated melanoma?
The outlook for untreated melanoma varies widely. Some types grow very slowly, while others can grow and spread rapidly.
For this reason, anyone with concerns about skin cancer should speak with a doctor.
Melanoma is a potentially aggressive form of skin cancer that can spread rapidly if doctors do not detect and treat it early. Recognizing its symptoms and seeking prompt medical attention is crucial for optimizing a person’s outlook.
People should examine their skin for changes in appearance, such as new moles or changes in existing moles, and consult a health professional as necessary.