Melanoma
DEFINITION
Moles are flat or elevated, flesh coloured to dark-brown
markings located randomly over the entire skin surface. Moles can
become malignant (melanoma) requiring removal.
markings located randomly over the entire skin surface. Moles can
become malignant (melanoma) requiring removal.
DESCRIPTION
Moles are a clump of cells with different pigment (colour)
than the surrounding skin. The surface of moles varies from smooth
to pebbly and may contain heavy dark hairs or no hair growth. The
number and type of moles that a person has is largely determined by
family history. The average white adult has approximately 50 moles
and dark-skinned people have few, if any. Moles are occasionally
present at birth and usually start appearing between 1 to 4 years
of age, increasing in number into adulthood. Moles may be flat or
raised and may contain a few coarse hairs.
than the surrounding skin. The surface of moles varies from smooth
to pebbly and may contain heavy dark hairs or no hair growth. The
number and type of moles that a person has is largely determined by
family history. The average white adult has approximately 50 moles
and dark-skinned people have few, if any. Moles are occasionally
present at birth and usually start appearing between 1 to 4 years
of age, increasing in number into adulthood. Moles may be flat or
raised and may contain a few coarse hairs.
Melanoma is cancer of the pigment cells. Only approximately 30% of
melanomas arise from moles. The remainder of melanomas occur on
previously normal skin and occasionally in the eye and nervous
system where pigment cells also occur normally. Moles which are
rubbed or damaged or are on the palms and soles are NOT more likely
to become malignant. The colour of moles varies from flesh-coloured
to dark. Moles do not indicate any type of disease or illness and
can be removed by a number of surgical techniques if desired. There
are a number of different types of moles which vary from the normal
type and these have varying degrees of melanoma risk.
melanomas arise from moles. The remainder of melanomas occur on
previously normal skin and occasionally in the eye and nervous
system where pigment cells also occur normally. Moles which are
rubbed or damaged or are on the palms and soles are NOT more likely
to become malignant. The colour of moles varies from flesh-coloured
to dark. Moles do not indicate any type of disease or illness and
can be removed by a number of surgical techniques if desired. There
are a number of different types of moles which vary from the normal
type and these have varying degrees of melanoma risk.
GIANT HAIRY MOLE
This mole is over one centimetre in size. It is present at
birth and contains hair. With age this mole will change in
appearance and grow in size. If this type of mole is very large it
has a high rate of malignancy, between 1 to 10%. If the mole is
smaller then the risk is lower but still greater than for other
types of moles.
birth and contains hair. With age this mole will change in
appearance and grow in size. If this type of mole is very large it
has a high rate of malignancy, between 1 to 10%. If the mole is
smaller then the risk is lower but still greater than for other
types of moles.
HALO MOLE
These usually occur in young adulthood with colour being lost
around one or several moles. The mole may then fade and disappear
altogether leaving a white area which takes on the same colour as
the rest of the skin in some cases. Halo moles are not a risk
factor with the risk for melanoma being the same in these moles as
for the rest of the skin.
around one or several moles. The mole may then fade and disappear
altogether leaving a white area which takes on the same colour as
the rest of the skin in some cases. Halo moles are not a risk
factor with the risk for melanoma being the same in these moles as
for the rest of the skin.
BLUE MOLES
A blue mole is a dark grey-blue or blue-black skin marking
with a smooth surface which usually appears early into adulthood.
These moles are not a risk factor, however blue moles are often
mistaken for melanoma.
with a smooth surface which usually appears early into adulthood.
These moles are not a risk factor, however blue moles are often
mistaken for melanoma.
DYSPLASTIC MOLES
Compared to an ordinary mole, these are usually larger, have
an irregular border and perhaps an uneven colour. Some dysplastic
moles have a ‘fried egg’ appearance with a dark centre and a large
tan halo (up to 2 cm). 5 to 20% of white adults have at least one
dysplastic mole. These types of moles possibly convert to melanoma
more frequently than a normal mole. The presence of several
dysplastic moles indicates an increased risk of melanoma developing
somewhere on the individual’s skin. A family history of multiple
dysplastic moles is associated with a high rate of melanoma (up to
50%), however these families are rare.
an irregular border and perhaps an uneven colour. Some dysplastic
moles have a ‘fried egg’ appearance with a dark centre and a large
tan halo (up to 2 cm). 5 to 20% of white adults have at least one
dysplastic mole. These types of moles possibly convert to melanoma
more frequently than a normal mole. The presence of several
dysplastic moles indicates an increased risk of melanoma developing
somewhere on the individual’s skin. A family history of multiple
dysplastic moles is associated with a high rate of melanoma (up to
50%), however these families are rare.
CAUSES OF MELANOMA
Melanomas are a common type of cancer affecting people in many
countries including Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
The number of patients diagnosed with Melanoma each year is
increasing dramatically. Fifty years ago, for example, melanomas
occurred in approximately 1 out of every 1000 white Americans. This
rate has now increased to approximately 1 out of 140 white
Americans. This dramatic increase is thought to be due to an
increase in sun exposure. Sunburns suffered in childhood or
adolescence are thought, in many cases, to be responsible for the
development of melanomas later in life. A family history of
melanoma also poses a slightly increased risk of melanoma.
countries including Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
The number of patients diagnosed with Melanoma each year is
increasing dramatically. Fifty years ago, for example, melanomas
occurred in approximately 1 out of every 1000 white Americans. This
rate has now increased to approximately 1 out of 140 white
Americans. This dramatic increase is thought to be due to an
increase in sun exposure. Sunburns suffered in childhood or
adolescence are thought, in many cases, to be responsible for the
development of melanomas later in life. A family history of
melanoma also poses a slightly increased risk of melanoma.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
As with all conditions your Doctor should be consulted. Your
moles should be checked by your Doctor twice a year (or more
regularly) for any change in size or appearance of your moles,
inflammation of the surrounding skin or bleeding. Moles can be
removed by a variety of simple techniques including surgery.
Contact your Doctor immediately if you notice ANY change in
sensation or the appearance of a mole or the surrounding
skin.
moles should be checked by your Doctor twice a year (or more
regularly) for any change in size or appearance of your moles,
inflammation of the surrounding skin or bleeding. Moles can be
removed by a variety of simple techniques including surgery.
Contact your Doctor immediately if you notice ANY change in
sensation or the appearance of a mole or the surrounding
skin.
PHARMACIST’S ADVICE
Ask your Pharmacist for advice.
- Sunburn is a major cause of melanoma. Your Pharmacy stocks a
range of protective sunscreens, hats, clothing and sunglasses to
protect the skin and eyes from UV radiation. - High SPF rated sunscreen should be worn at all times to protect
against sun damage, even on cloudy days. Ask your Pharmacist about
new SPF rated sunscreens which are now available. - Avoid exposing yourself to direct sunlight. Reduce the risk of
melanoma by always seeking shade, wear a sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
and long sleeved protective clothing. - Ask your Pharmacist about protective clothing especially for
children. - If a non-melanoma skin cancer has been removed a moist,
hydroactive wound dressing from your Pharmacy can be applied to the
skin to help reduce the chance of scar tissue formation. Ask your
Pharmacist for advice.
