What Is Melanoma?
Healthy skin can prevent skin problems and delay aging. Protecting your skin may also help prevent potential issues, like melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer that can have serious consequences if not detected early. This type of skin cancer occurs when the pigment-producing cells, known as melanocytes, become cancerous. It often appears as a mole that changes in size, shape, or color, but it can also develop on normal skin. Melanoma typically affects fair-skinned individuals, but it can occur in people of all skin types. It often forms on sun-exposed areas of the body, but it can also appear in areas not commonly exposed to the sun. Dr. Adam Aldahan and his experienced team at Palm Beach Dermatology provide preventive skin cancer examinations to identify atypical moles on the skin. If you are worried about a patch of your skin or if you want to arrange a thorough skin cancer examination, please reach out to our Boca Raton, FL team to schedule a consultation at your earliest convenience.
What Are A Few Common Melanoma Therapies?
Treating melanoma depends on the stage and extent of the cancer. A treatment option for early-stage melanoma or stage 1 melanoma might include surgical procedures, like Mohs micrographic surgery, or wide local excision where the primary tumor is removed along with some surrounding tissue. If the melanoma has progressed to stage 3 melanoma or stage 4 melanoma skin cancer where the cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body, more aggressive treatments like radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or targeted drug therapy may be required. A sentinel lymph node biopsy may be performed to determine if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. This helps guide further treatment options. Routine checks are crucial in identifying early-stage melanoma and improving the survival rate. Early detection is just as important for basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.
What Are Some Melanoma Symptoms?
Recognizing the signs of melanoma early is essential for effective treatment under the supervision of Dr. Adam Aldahan at Palm Beach Dermatology in Boca Raton, FL. A helpful guide is the ABCDE system, which outlines the key features of melanoma:
- Asymmetry: One half of the mole is unlike the other half.
- Borders: The edges are irregular, ragged, or blurred.
- Color: The mole contains varying shades of black, brown, or even patches of red, white, or blue.
- Diameter: The mole is larger than six millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser).
- Evolving: Any change in the size, shape, or color of a mole over time.
These signs of melanoma can indicate a malignant melanoma, and noticing changes in the layers of the skin is vital. If any moles or spots exhibit these characteristics, it is important to have a skin biopsy performed to confirm if it is melanoma.
Palm Beach Dermatology Reviews
Great doctor makes you feel super at ease and very thorough! So glad to have found this office ! Dr Adam is the best !
I have had two visits with Dr. Aldahan and he was nothing but amazing! He’s very thorough and takes his time during the visits. I had a procedure and he was super gentle . A great experience over all with the office staff as well.
Dr. Aldahan is very capable of taking care of my skin problems even after many years of treatment by others. This was my third visit with Dr. Aldahan and I have a two-month checkup scheduled.
The best, smart, nice knowledgeable, professional, up to date and hands on.
Very nice new office! Everyone was extremely welcoming and Dr. Aldahan listened to all my concerns and was very insightful. Would highly recommend.
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Manage Your Skin's Health
Staying proactive about skin health can have a significant impact on your well-being. Melanoma, when detected early, is highly treatable. Regular screenings, staying informed about changes in your skin, and understanding preventive measures can be key to managing your skin's health. If you have concerns or notice any unusual spots or changes, schedule a consultation with Dr. Adam Aldahan at Palm Beach Dermatology to prioritize your skin health.