As a surgeon based in Northern Sydney, I want to address an important topic: Melanoma. This is a type of skin cancer that, while less common than basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, can be more serious if not detected and treated early. Understanding melanoma, its risk factors, and the importance of regular checks is crucial for your health.
What is Melanoma?
Melanoma originates in melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its colour. Melanocytes have different embryological origins than regular skin cells, they are almost like nerve cells which migrate to your skin.
Melanoma can develop from an existing mole or appear as a new pigmented or unusual-looking growth on the skin. While melanoma can occur anywhere on the body, including non-sun exposed areas such as sole of foot or the buttocks.
Recognizing the Signs of Melanoma: The ABCDEs’.
Early detection is key in successfully treating melanoma. A helpful guide to remember potential warning signs is the ABCDE rule:
- Asymmetry: One half of the mole or spot does not match the other half.
- Border: The edges are irregular, notched, or blurred.
- Color: The color is uneven and may include shades of black, brown, and tan.
- Diameter: The spot is larger than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser), although melanomas can sometimes be smaller.
- Evolving: The mole or spot is changing in size, shape, color, or elevation, or if new symptoms such as bleeding, itching, or crusting occur.
It is important to note that not all melanomas will exhibit all of these signs. If you notice any changes in your skin that concern you, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly.
The lesions look different, but they are all melanoma
Risk Factors for Melanoma
Several factors can increase your risk of developing melanoma, including:
- A history of sunburns, especially during childhood.
- Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight or tanning beds.
- Having many moles or unusual moles (dysplastic nevi).
- A family history of melanoma.
- Fair skin, freckles, and light hair.
- A weakened immune system.
Being aware of your individual risk factors can help you take proactive steps in monitoring your skin and protecting yourself from excessive UV exposure.
Treatment Options for Melanoma in Northern Sydney
If melanoma is suspected, the following evidence-based guidelines are proposed
- Confirmatory biopsy: this can be as a punch biopsy or a preliminary excision biopsy. Shave biopsies should be avoided, as they do not adequately characterise the depth of a Melanoma. This stage can be done by your local GP or Skin Doctor, but Dr George is happy to perform this as well.
- Definitive excision: once the diagnosis is confirmed, a wider excision is required, with a diameter guided by the depth. Dr George is trained in advanced oncoplastic techniques to produce the best possible cosmetic and functional results. He can also performed skin grafts or flap reconstruction, if required.
- Need for lymph node biopsy: if melanoma were to spread, lymph nodes are often the first place they go to. Dr George utilises a statistical programme created by the Melanoma Institute of Australia to calculate personalised risk and determine whether a lymph node biopsy is warranted. If so, radiological scintigraphy is performed before the surgery to identify the specific lymph node to which the affected skin segment drains to, the sentinel lymph node(s). This nodes is then sampled at the same time as the wider excision surgery, and sent for pathological analysis. Even individual Melanoma cells can be detected !
- Other treatments include immunotherapy. These are infusions which stimulate your own immune system to fight the melanoma. The indications for this are also individually determined. Immunotherapy can be given before or after surgery by Dr George’s medical oncology colleagues.
- Other investigations are sometimes also warranted, such as CT or PET scan. Dr George will guide management between a patient, their family and GP, and arrange these specialised tests if required.
If you have noticed any changes in your moles or skin, or if you have risk factors for melanoma and would like a thorough skin examination, please see your local doctor or contact my clinic. We can schedule you in promptly. Early detection saves lives !
Schedule a consultation at my Northern Sydney clinic today for expert assessment and personalised care.
(https://www.drrobertgeorge.com.au/make-enquiry/)
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.