About 32,000 Americans develop this deadly type of skin cancer annually. Each year an estimated 6,800 of them die from it. The good news is that the numbers are declining, because patients are seeking help earlier. Melanoma, like the Carcinomas, is almost always curable in its early stages. But it is much more aggressive and grows faster than the Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinomas. That is why you must watch for changes or the sudden appearances of moles and seek medical advice. Click on the pushpins below for more photos.

The ABCD's of Melanoma

• Asymmetrical shape to your mole. One half does not match the other half.
• Borders are irregular, the edges are notched, ragged or blurred.
• Color. If the color is not uniform. You should look for shades of red, black or a red, white and blue mottled appearance.
• Diameter. If your mole is larger than a pencil eraser. Most moles that are smaller than this are harmless.
Also look for changes. If your mole becomes scaly, oozes, bleeds, or if the color spreads to surrounding skin or if bumps appear on the mole or if the texture of the skin changes. If the mole itches, is tender, or causes you pain.

There are several types of Melanomas. One is the Superficial Spreading Melanoma.Generally the most common form accounting for approximately 65% of diagnosed melanoma. The cancer presumably begins at one focus in the skin at the junction of the dermis and epidermal layers. It initially grows in a horizontal plane, along, just above and below the dermo-epidermal junction. This is referred to as the "radial" growth phase of melanoma and is only slightly elevated.

There is also the Nodular Melanoma. A much less common form of melanoma . In this tumor, there is presumably no horizontal (or spreading) growth phase. Nodular melanoma (NM) presents as an elevated lesion on any part of the body. It may be uniform in pigmentation and frequently shows ulceration when advanced. The depth of the lesion appears to correlate with the prognosis of the patient, and nodular melanoma is less responsive to treatment than is the superficial spreading variety.

Lentigo Maligna Melanoma is a form of melanoma more common among the elderly population. This lesion may grow for years as an in-situ tumor before developing the more aggressive vertical growth phase.

The fourth variety of melanoma, known as Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) occurs on the hands and feet. It has a reputation for being ignored by the patient resulting in the development of metastatic melanoma. Acral lentiginous melanoma presents as a darkly pigmented, flat to nodular lesion on palms, soles of the feet, and under the nails.

When melanoma spreads, it often affects other places on the skin, lymph nodes, lungs, liver, brain or bones. Such secondary spread is referred to as Metastatic Melanoma. This is the most deadly type or stage on melanoma. However, Metastic Melanoma is not a death sentence!! There are many people who have been living productive lives for many years after being diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma. Some (although they are a definite minority) have even experienced long term complete remissions.

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