Melanoma

Melanoma is a cancer of the cells which give color to skin, called the melanocytes. It can be more threatening than the other forms of skin cancer because it tends to metastasize or spread to other parts of the body, causing serious complications.

Risk factors for melanoma include fair skin, light hair and light-colored eyes, a history of prolonged and fierce sun exposure, close family members with melanoma, and moles that are irregular and large in size and number.

Early detection and diagnosis of melanoma are crucial. Changing or unusual spots on the skin should be brought to medical attention without delay. Diagnosis is usually done by a biopsy in which a piece of skin containing the pigmented tumor is removed for lab analysis. 

Caught early, most melanomas can be managed with relatively minor surgical removal. However, treatment at the later stages becomes challenging and mostly comprises surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.