Melanoma is a reasonably common form of cancer that affects the skin. There are several melanoma cancer types and diagnosis of these types does not generally affect the treatment that is offered. Essentially, they are all treated in the same manner.
Understanding the Various Melanoma Cancer Types and Diagnosis:
1. Superficial spreading melanoma, which grows outwards on the skin, rather than inwards. Because of this, this type of melanoma usually doesn't spread either, until it starts to reach the skin's deeper layers. This is the most common form of melanoma, and usually happens in people of middle age.
2. Nodular melanoma, which grows deeper into the skin. If not removed, it grows quite rapidly. The skin's surface is usually raised as well. The color of this melanoma tends to be black, or a very dark brownish black. It doesn't always start at a pre-existing mole. Like superficial spreading melanoma, it is found mainly in people of middle age, and usually in body parts that have occasional sun exposre like the back or chest.
3. Lentigo maligna melanoma, which grows very slowly from an area of the skin that is pigmented. These pigmented areas are known as Hutchinson's melanotic freckles or lentigo malignas. It is a flat area and that grows outwards on the skin's surface. It usually grows bigger and changes shape, generally over the course of several years. However, if it starts to grow downwards, it can start to form nodules that need to be removed. This is most common in the elderly, and generally on skin parts that have a lot of sun exposure, including the face.
4. Acral lentiginous melanoma, which is usually found on the soles of the feet, palms of the hands, and around the big toenail, or even under the nails. It is usually found on the feet rather than the hands. This is a very rare type of cancer and is most common in people with dark skin. In fact, of all the melanoma cancer types and diagnosis options, this is the only one that is more likely to happen in dark people.
5. Amelanotic melanoma, which means there is no melanin. As a result, these tend to be red or pink, or have a slight gray or light brown tint at the edge. Acral lentiginous can also have no color, which means it is a form of amelanotic melanoma. This is a very rare form of melanoma that is also hard to diagnose.
Where Melanomas Can Happen:
Melanomas are referred to as "cutaneous melanomas", with "cutaneous" being another word for skin. It is actually possible to get a melanoma elsewhere, however. In rare cases, they have been found in the rectum, vagina, vulva, and eye.
How to Diagnose:
Generally speaking, a physician will remove the skin that looks abnormal for biopsy. If it is found to be a melanoma, then a second operation will be offered, removing the tissue. However, it always starts with a visual inspection of the skin by a dermatologist. They can request an excision biopsy, whereby the patches are removed if necessary.