What happens if diagnosed with melanoma

A typical follow-up schedule for people with early-stage melanomas that were removed completely might call for physical exams every 6 to 12 months for several years. If these exams are normal, the time between your doctor visits may be extended.

Your doctor may recommend more frequent exams if you have many moles or atypical moles. For thicker melanomas or those that had spread beyond the skin , a typical schedule might include physical exams every 3 to 6 months for several years. After that, exams might be done less often.

Imaging tests such as ultrasounds or CT scans might be done as well, especially for people who had more advanced stage disease. Most doctors recommend this at least monthly.

You should see your doctor if you find any new lump or change in your skin. Melanoma can sometimes come back many years after it was first treated.

Talk with your doctor about developing a survivorship care plan for you. This plan might include:. Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It may appear as a new spot or as a change in an existing mole or freckle. If untreated, melanomas can spread to other parts of the body and may not be curable so it is important to see your doctor as soon as you notice any changes to your skin.

The biggest risk factor for developing a melanoma is exposure to ultraviolet UV radiation from the sun or artificial sources such as solariums which are now banned for commercial use in Australia.

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Two in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of Excluding non-melanoma skin cancers, melanoma is the third most common cancer in Australia. It is most commonly diagnosed in people aged 55 and over.

However, young adults, teenagers and even children can be affected. In fact, Australian adolescents have, by far, the highest incidence of malignant melanoma for their age group in the world. Melanoma and other skin cancers generally develop from overexposure to UV radiation. Each time unprotected skin is exposed to UV radiation from the sun or artificial sources, changes take place in the structure of the cells.

Too much UV radiation causes the skin to become permanently damaged, which will worsen with each exposure. Skin cancer can grow when the cells that make up your skin are damaged, causing them to grow abnormally. Every additional decade of overexposure to UV further increases your risk of skin cancer. Increased use of sun protection will help prevent skin cancer and melanoma at any age. All skin types can be damaged by exposure to UV radiation. People with skin types that are less likely to burn are still at risk of developing skin cancer although this risk is lower than for people with skin types that are more likely to burn.

People with one or more risk factors are at increased risk of melanoma. Risk factors for melanoma are:. The melanin in naturally very dark skin offers some protection against the damaging effects of UV radiation and lowers the risk of skin cancer.

However, when skin cancer is detected in people with naturally very dark skin, it is often found at a later, more dangerous stage when the risk of death is much higher.

The first sign of flat melanoma is usually a new spot or an existing mole or freckle that changes in appearance. Some changes might include:. Melanoma can grow very quickly. It can become life-threatening in as little as 6 weeks and, if untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma can appear on skin not normally exposed to the sun.

Nodular melanoma is a highly dangerous form of melanoma that looks different from common melanomas. Nodular melanomas are raised and are even in colour often red or pink and some are brown or black. This type of melanoma grows quickly and can be life-threatening if not detected and removed quickly. See your doctor immediately if you notice any of these changes. It's important to get to know your skin and what is normal for you, so you will notice any changes quickly.

Check all of your skin, not just sun-exposed areas. Again, you should discuss the pros and cons of the procedure with your surgeon. Cancer Research UK has more information about test to diagnose melanoma and tests to stage melanoma. Healthcare professionals use a staging system called the AJCC system to describe how far melanoma has grown into the skin the thickness and whether it has spread. The type of treatment you receive will depend on what stage the melanoma has reached.

Cancer Research UK has more information about the stages of melanoma. Page last reviewed: 07 February Next review due: 07 February A diagnosis of melanoma will usually begin with an examination of your skin. Seeing a specialist You'll be referred to a dermatology clinic for further testing if melanoma is suspected.

Further tests You'll have further tests if there's a concern that the cancer has spread into other organs, bones or your blood. Sentinel lymph node biopsy If melanoma spreads, it will usually begin spreading through channels in the skin lymphatics to the nearest group of glands lymph nodes. Melanoma can be most effectively treated in its early stages when it is still confined to the top layer of the skin.

Shop Online. Contact Us. Cancer information What is cancer? Common cancer symptoms Facts and figures Explore What is cancer? Jump to:. Jump to section. About melanoma. Screening and Early Detection. What is melanoma? It is estimated that 16, new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in Australia in Melanoma symptoms Often melanoma has no symptoms, however, the first sign is generally a change in an existing mole or the appearance of a new spot. These changes can include: colour - a mole may change in colour, have different colour shades or become blotchy size - a mole may appear to get bigger shape - a mole may have an irregular shape, may increase in height or not be symmetrical elevation - the mole may develop a raised area itching or bleeding.

Other symptoms include dark areas under nails or on membranes lining the mouth, vagina or anus. Causes of melanoma Melanoma risk increases with exposure to UV radiation from the sun or other sources such as solariums, particularly with episodes of sunburn especially during childhood.

Melanoma risk is increased for people who have: unprotected UV radiation exposure a history of childhood tanning and sunburn a pattern of short, intense periods of exposure to UV radiation having a lot of moles naevi — more than 50 on the body and more than 10 above the elbows on the arms increased numbers of unusual moles dysplastic naevi depressed immune systems a family history of melanoma in a first degree relative fair skin, a tendency to burn rather than tan, freckles, light eye colour blue or green , light or red hair colour had a previous melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancer.

Diagnosis of melanoma Melanoma can vary in the way it looks. Physical examination If you do notice any changes to your skin, your doctor will examine you and carefully check any spots you have identified as changed. A - Asymmetry, irregular B - Border uneven or scalloped edges C — Colour differing shades and colour patches D - Diameter usually over 6mm E - Evolving changing and growing.

Biopsy If the doctor suspects that a spot on your skin could be melanoma, an excision biopsy is carried out with the removal of the whole spot. Checking lymph nodes Your doctor may feel the lymph nodes near the melanoma to see if they are enlarged as melanoma can sometimes travel via the lymph vessels to other parts of your body. Read more. Treatment for melanoma Staging Test results will show whether you have melanoma and if it has spread to other parts of the body. Early-stage melanoma Surgery wide local excision can be curative for thin melanomas and requires that the melanoma be removed as well as more normal-looking skin around the melanoma usually between 5mm and 10mm.

Advanced melanoma Treatment for advanced melanoma, where the cancer has spread to lymph nodes, internal organs or bones, may include surgery, radiation therapy targeted therapy or immunotherapy.