Melanoma
Melanoma is a form of cancer that develops in the skin’s pigment cells (melanocytes) and is the most serious form of skin cancer and grows very quickly if left untreated.
More information
Melanoma is a rare kind of skin cancer that develops in your melanocytes. Melanocytes are the cells that give your skin a brown or tan colour. Melanoma occurs when these cells grow uncontrollably.
The risk of having melanoma increases with age, as most people with this type of skin cancer are diagnosed at the average age of 65. While melanoma is more common in men, women have higher rates of melanoma before the age of 50 than men. However, you can develop melanoma at any age.
Melanoma is a dangerous form of skin cancer because it’s much more likely to spread to other parts of your body than other skin cancers. Catching and treating it early helps to prevent its spread. Melanomas may form anywhere on your skin. Women tend to have melanomas on their legs, while men are more likely to have this form of cancer on their chest or back.
Melanomas often look like a new spot on your skin or a spot that has changed in colour, size, or shape. These types of skin cancer also create unusual spots or patches that look entirely different than any other growth on your skin.
Signs and symptoms
Identifying patients who are high-risk for melanoma and maintaining close surveillance will help assure early detection and implementation of treatment as early as possible.
Specifically, patients who are high-risk for melanoma may have the symptoms listed.
A prior history of melanoma
Family history of melanoma
Atypical/dysplastic moles
A large number of moles
“Atypical mole” syndrome (“dysplastic nevus” syndrome)
Skin cancer specialist
Melanoma is rare, accounting for roughly 1% of skin cancers, but this form of skin cancer is becoming increasingly common. If you suspect you have a melanoma, rely on the skin cancer specialist Dr Aslam a consultant dermatologist in Lancashire and Greater Manchester.
About Dr Arif Aslam
Patient care and cutting edge treatments are paramount to my work as a Consultant Dermatologist where I am always striving for the best possible outcomes for my patients.
Dermatological Surgeon & Mohs Micrographic Surgeon, Honorary Senior Lecturer.
MBChB, MRCP (UK), MRCGP, MRCP (Derm), FRACP, FACD, FACMS
An experienced consultant dermatologist, Dr. Aslam is a double fellowship-trained Mohs micrographic surgeon and fellow of the prestigious American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS).
He is one of only a few dermatologists in the UK and Europe with this accreditation and the only UK dermatologist with membership of both the Australasian College of Dermatologists and American College of Mohs Surgery.
