Is Melanoma Ever Curable?

People fear melanoma for many reasons including the fact that it causes the majority of skin cancer deaths and its rates have been rising. However, the good news is when it's caught early, it is not only treatable but often curable.

At his private practice in Santa Monica, California, Dr. Trevan Fischer employs his skills in complex general surgical oncology to provide exceptional care using state-of-the-art techniques to treat many types of cancer, including melanoma. He also works on clinical trials at the Saint John's Cancer Institute, which helps him keep up-to-date on the latest findings and treatment advances in the field.

Melanoma

Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or tanning beds can harm the skin and lead to damage of the DNA. That creates mutations in the skin cells and can cause uncontrolled cellular growth and cancer. In about 30% of people, melanoma starts in an existing mole. But for most individuals, it begins in regular skin making, making it essential to watch for changes in your appearance.

Signs

Melanoma can strike anywhere, including your skin, eyes, and internal organs. It can vary in appearance, ranging from a mole, raised bump, scaly patch, or an open sore. 

Experts often recommend thinking of "ABCDE" as a good way to remember the warning signs. These include being Asymmetrical, the Border not having smooth edges, the Color appearing uneven or mottled, the Diameter being larger than a pencil eraser tip, and Evolving over time to a new shape, size, or color. 

Some melanomas do not fit into any of the ABCDE categories, so it's also essential to have anything out-of-the-ordinary evaluated by our team.

Diagnosis and treatment

When caught early enough, melanoma is easily treatable and curable. When it is detected and addressed before it has spread to the lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate can be as high as 99%.

Diagnosis is typically made by the doctor who performs a biopsy, which involves removing the suspicious-looking mole or blemish and examining it under the microscope. If melanoma cells are found, additional tests are done to determine the stage. Several factors determine staging, including how it looks under the microscope and how far it has spread.

Treatment depends on the melanoma's stage and the individual's health but typically involves surgery to remove the cancer and some of the surrounding skin. For more advanced cases, additional surgery or other treatments, like targeted cancer therapy or immunotherapy may also be recommended.

Given how treatable melanoma is when caught early, the best defense is examining your skin periodically for anything that looks new, different, or abnormal. If you find anything of concern, click to book an appointment with Dr. Fischer or call our office today.