Melanoma

Description

• Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. It begins in the pigment-producing cells of the skin (melanocytes) and can develop anywhere — not just on sun-exposed areas. While less common than basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), melanoma is more likely to grow quickly and spread to other parts of the body if not detected early.

  Melanoma often appears as a new mole or a change in an existing one. Warning signs can be remembered with the ABCDEs:

  • A – Asymmetry: One half looks different from the other

  • B – Border: Irregular or blurred edges

  • C – Color: Multiple or unusual colors

  • D – Diameter: Larger than 6mm (pencil eraser)

  • E – Evolving: Any change in size, shape, or symptoms (like itching or bleeding)

  When caught early, melanoma is highly treatable with surgical removal. Advanced cases may require additional treatments such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or radiation.

When to come in?

• A new or changing mole.

• A spot that follows the ABCDE rule:

  • Asymmetry – one half doesn’t match the other

  • Border – irregular, jagged, or blurred edges

  • Color – multiple colors (brown, black, red, white, blue) within one mole

  • Diameter – larger than a pencil eraser (6 mm)

  • Evolving – any change in size, shape, color, or symptoms (itching, bleeding).

• A dark streak under a nail or a mole that looks different from all your others (“ugly duckling” sign).

• A mole that becomes itchy, painful, bleeds, or develops a crust.

Early detection is critical—melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, but when caught at the in-situ or very superficial stage, treatment is often straightforward and highly effective.

How we treat at INTEGRITY Skin & DermCare

Treatment for melanoma depends on how early it’s found and whether it has spread. The main goal is to remove the cancer completely and prevent it from returning.

• We treat superficial melanoma and melanoma in-situ with surgical excision, carefully removing the lesion with precision and attention to closure for optimal healing and cosmetic outcome.

• Patients diagnosed with melanoma will also undergo close skin exams and ongoing surveillance, since having one melanoma increases the risk of developing others in the future.

• If melanoma is found to be beyond superficial or invasive (deeper into the skin or with advanced features), we will coordinate referral to a dermatologist specializing in melanoma surgery or a surgical oncologist for further staging and management.

👉 The key to melanoma care is early detection. Most melanomas caught early can be treated with a simple procedure, while more advanced cases are managed by a coordinated team of dermatologists and cancer specialists to ensure the best outcome.