Melanocytes are cells in the skin that contain a pigment called melanin, which is the dark color also found in hair and eyes. These cells live between the epidermis and the dermis, the top two layers of the skin. As people age, or get too much sun, the number of melanocytes in the skin can increase, forming dark spots or moles. Most melanomas are benign, meaning they are not harmful in any way. However, in some cases, these dark spots or moles can develop into malignant spots, meaning they are a sign of a serious form of skin cancer.
The development of malignant melanomas has been linked to overexposure of the skin to the sun. In fact, some medical professionals believe that getting just one bad sunburn can double a person's chance of developing malignant melanomas. In addition, two serious sunburns in a person's childhood or adolescence can triple the probability of developing them.
Malignant melanomas can appear anywhere on a person's body, including hard-to-see areas such as the nail bed, the scalp, and the inside of the mouth or nose. Regardless of the location, there are several signs that a person should look for when identifying them. The most common technique for inspecting melanomas to determine whether they are benign or malignant is to follow the rule ABCD .
The A in the ABCD rule means asymmetry . Benign melanomas are symmetrical, so both sides would look the same if the spot were cut in half. Those that are asymmetrical, or do not have matching halves, are potentially malignant.
The B. in the ABCD rule is the edge . Malignant melanomas may have an irregular border, or they may have notched borders or a scalloped appearance. The ones that are benign, on the other hand, have smooth and even edges.
The C represents the color . Benign melanomas are usually a shade of brown throughout. The malignant ones, on the other hand, can come in a variety of brown, tan, and black. As they get worse, they can turn white, red, or even blue.
The D of the ABCD's means diameter . Malignant melanomas usually grow larger than benign melanomas. Any stain the size of a pencil eraser or larger is potentially malignant.
Malignant melanomas may show one or more of the signs covered in the ABCD rule. When caught early, they can be removed and the patient can make a full recovery. However, if allowed to progress, the cancer can move to other areas of the body and become a serious, life-threatening disease.