Melanoma Summary Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. Often the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, shape, color, or feel of a mole. Most melanomas have a black or black-blue area. Melanoma may also appear as a new mole. It may be black, abnormal, or “ugly looking.” Thinking of “ABCDE” can help you remember what to watch for: Asymmetry – the shape of one half does not match the other Border – the edges are ragged, blurred or irregular Color – the color is uneven and may include shades of black, brown and tan Diameter – there is a change in size, usually an increase Evolving – the mole has changed over the past few weeks or months Surgery is the first treatment of all stages of melanoma. Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation, biologic, and targeted therapies. Biologic therapy boosts your body’s own ability to fight cancer. Targeted therapy uses substances that attack cancer cells without harming normal cells. NIH: National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute NIH MedlinePlus Magazine 6 Common Cancers – Skin Cancer Quiz: Test Your Skin Cancer IQ Sam Donaldson: Tips from A Cancer Survivor Skin Cancer Can Strike Anyone Skin Cancer: Biology, Risk Factors & Treatment Skin Cancer: NIH Research to Results Timely Healthcare Checkup Catches Melanoma Early Array After chemotherapy – discharge Melanoma Melanoma of the eye Find an Expert American Academy of Dermatology American Academy of Dermatology American Cancer Society American Cancer Society Find a Dermatologist American Academy of Dermatology National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute Prevention and Risk Factors Body Mole Map American Academy of Dermatology CDC Vital Signs: Preventing Melanoma Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Common Moles, Atypical Moles (Dysplastic Nevi), and Risk of Melanoma National Cancer Institute Skin Cancer Prevention National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Intraocular (Eye) Melanoma National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Melanoma National Institutes of Health Reference Desk Dictionary of Cancer Terms National Cancer Institute Related Issues Do We Know What Causes Melanoma Skin Cancer? American Cancer Society Indoor Tanning Raises Risk of Melanoma: FDA Strengthens Warnings for Sunlamp Products Food and Drug Administration Moles (Nevi) American Academy of Dermatology Treatments and Therapies Drugs Approved for Melanoma National Cancer Institute Treatment Option Overview (Melanoma) National Cancer Institute Treatment Options by Stage (Melanoma) National Cancer Institute Videos and Tutorials Examine Your Skin Melanoma International Foundation Specifics General Information about Intraocular (Uveal) Melanoma National Cancer Institute Malignant Melanoma of the Foot American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Ocular Melanoma American Academy of Ophthalmology Start Here General Information about Melanoma National Cancer Institute Melanoma American Academy of Dermatology What Is Melanoma Skin Cancer? American Cancer Society What You Need to Know about Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers National Cancer Institute Genetics Genetics Home Reference: giant congenital melanocytic nevus National Library of Medicine Statistics and Research Genome-Wide Scan Reveals Mutation Associated with Melanoma National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Melanoma of the Skin National Cancer Institute Skin Cancer Rates by Race and Ethnicity Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Skin Cancer Trends Centers for Disease Control and Prevention What’s New in Research and Treatment of Melanoma Skin Cancer? American Cancer Society Diagnosis and Tests How Is Melanoma Skin Cancer Diagnosed? American Cancer Society Lymphoscintigraphy Array Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy National Cancer Institute Skin Biopsy Logical Images Skin Cancer Screening National Cancer Institute Stages of Melanoma National Cancer Institute Images Melanoma Logical Images What Does a Mole Look Like? National Cancer Institute What Does Melanoma Look Like? National Cancer Institute Teenagers Melanoma Nemours Foundation Health Check Tools Melanoma Cancer Risk Questionnaire Siteman Cancer Center Living With Newly Diagnosed? Melanoma International Foundation What Happens after Treatment for Melanoma Skin Cancer? American Cancer Society Journal Articles Melanoma Patient Handouts Understanding Chemotherapy National Cancer Institute What to Know about External Beam Radiation Therapy National Cancer Institute Encyclopedia Urine melanin Latest News Drug Seems to Extend Survival for Advanced Melanoma Patients HealthDay Some Smart Yet Easy Ways to Shield Yourself from Skin Cancer HealthDay Melanoma Drug Boosting Survival for Many, Study Shows HealthDay Drug Shows Promise Against Rare, Aggressive Skin Cancer HealthDay
