Melanoma is cancer of the skin that can affect anyone, both young and old, men and women. Melanoma usually makes its appearance as a mole or some sort of abnormal skin growth, which the cells can mutate into this type of skin cancer. Melanoma can be deadly if it goes untreated, which is why you need to pay close attention to your moles and to any other abnormality on the body, especially those that are beginning to change in any way. If you suspect you have melanoma or you have noticed an abnormal mole, get to your dermatologist to have the mole looked at and to be diagnosed properly. Read on for a few signs of melanoma and the ways it is treated.

Signs Of Melanoma

Melanoma isn't something you can see with the naked eye. Skin cells have to be tested and looked at thoroughly under a microscope to be sure whether or not it is melanoma. You can, however, look at a mole or an abnormal growth and see that it has changed. If you have a mole that has changed in size, shape, or color, you need to report it to your dermatologist. If you have an abnormal growth that has changed shape or size, even if you wouldn't necessarily call it a mole, you should still have it checked. Your moles may appear darker in color, the edges may have become more jagged, or the mole may have become more pronounced instead of being flat - if you have spotted any of these signs, get to the dermatologist for a proper diagnosis.

How Melanoma Is Treated

Melanoma is diagnosed by taking a biopsy of the skin. This is something that is usually done in the office. The cells are looked at under a microscope and tested to determine if it is skin cancer or not. If it isn't, the mole or growth is usually measured and monitored. If it does have skin cancer cells, the skin cells in the area in which the mole was located are removed to get rid of the cancerous cells. This, again, is something that is done in the office or sometimes may require a more extensive surgical procedure depending on the area of the body and how much needs to be removed. Other treatments that may be necessary depending on the severity of the cancer include radiation or chemotherapy. 

If you aren't already paying close attention to the moles on your body or checking your body often for signs of new abnormal growths, you need to start. Get to your dermatologist to have a full-body mole inspection and to have your moles monitored. Don't wait to have your moles inspected if you have spotted any changes, melanoma can be deadly if it isn't treated properly. Make an appointment today with your dermatologist.