Diseases

Cutaneous Melanoma

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Cutaneous melanoma is not the most prevalent form of skin cancer, but it is the most aggressive. Unlike other more common skin malignancies like basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, melanoma often spreads widely to other parts of the body.

SYMPTOMS

A sore that doesn't heal.
Spread of pigment from the border of a spot into surrounding skin.
Redness or a new swelling beyond the border of the mole.
Change in sensation, such as itchiness, tenderness, or pain.

CAUSES

Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (uv) rays. The two types of uv rays that cause melanoma are uv-a and uv-b rays. Uv-a rays are fairly constant throughout the year, and contribute to aging and wrinkling of the skin.