Melanoma
Melanoma: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Future Outlook.: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Future Outlook.
Disclaimer:
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Content is sourced from third parties, and we do not guarantee accuracy or accept any liability for its use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance.
What is Melanoma?
Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer from melanocytes, pigment-producing cells. Types include superficial spreading (70%), nodular (15-20%), lentigo maligna (10%), and acral lentiginous (rare, palms/soles). Stages I-IV, with thickness (Breslow) and ulceration key for prognosis. In 2025, ~100,000 US cases, rising due to UV exposure, with higher incidence in fair-skinned individuals.
Symptoms
Symptoms include new/changing moles (asymmetrical, irregular borders, varied colors, diameter >6mm, evolving), itching, bleeding, or ulceration. Advanced causes lumps, swollen nodes, or metastatic symptoms (cough, pain). ABCDE rule aids detection.
Causes
UV radiation (sun/tanning beds) is primary, causing DNA damage. Risk factors include fair skin, freckles, many moles, family history, immunosuppression, and BRAF mutations (50%). In 2025, genomics show NRAS/KIT in non-UV types.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis uses dermoscopy, biopsy (excisional for depth), sentinel node biopsy for staging, and imaging (PET/CT) for metastases. Molecular testing for BRAF/NRAS. In 2025, AI dermoscopy detects 95% of melanomas.
Treatment
Early-stage uses excision with margins. Stage III-IV adds immunotherapy (pembrolizumab, nivolumab), targeted therapy (BRAF/MEK inhibitors), or surgery. In 2025, tebentafusp and TIL therapy improve survival.
Future Outlook
In 2025, 5-year survival is 99% localized, 35% metastatic. Immunotherapy raises metastatic to 50%. By 2030, vaccines and AI could achieve 60% metastatic survival.
Sources
Mayo Clinic’s “Melanoma – Symptoms and causes” for symptoms; Cleveland Clinic’s “Melanoma: Symptoms, Stages, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention” for treatment; NCI’s “Melanoma Treatment” for prognosis; PMC’s “Melanoma: An Overview” for overview; OncoDaily’s “Melanoma: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment” for details; Skin Cancer Foundation’s “Melanoma” for prevention; Cancer Research UK’s “Melanoma skin cancer” for research; American Cancer Society’s “Melanoma Skin Cancer” for statistics; WebMD’s “Melanoma Skin Cancer” for symptoms; Healthline’s “Melanoma: Pictures, Stages, Treatment, Survival Rates” for outlook.