Nodular melanoma how fast does it grow

This is the most common form of melanoma, and it usually appears in younger people. It accounts for around 70 percent of all melanoma cases. Superficial spreading melanoma grows along the top layer of skin for some time before growing more deeply. It is most likely to develop on the trunk in males, on the legs in females, and on the upper back in both sexes. This kind of melanoma tends to develop in older adults and on areas of skin that have sustained sun damage.

Like superficial spreading melanoma, lentigo maligna grows along the top layer of skin before penetrating deeper. This form usually appears as a black or brown patch. A patch may form under the nails, on the soles of the feet, or on the palms of the hands.

It is the most common type of melanoma among Asian and African-American people, and the least common among white people. There is no single cause of cancer , and scientists are often unsure why it develops in some people and not others.

Nodular melanoma is more common in males and in people aged 60 and older. However, it can develop in anyone at any age. Over 90 percent of melanoma skin cancers result from exposure to harmful ultraviolet UV rays. The sun is the main source of these rays, but sunbeds and sunlamps also expose people to them.

UV rays damage the DNA that controls how skin cells divide and grow. This can prevent the cells from repairing themselves correctly, and they may become cancerous as a result. Melanoma can run in families. Also, a person who has already had a melanoma is more likely to develop another. Other risk factors include :.

First, the doctor will examine the skin and take individual and family medical histories. Be sure to mention any instances of skin cancer. The doctor may recommend further tests, such as a biopsy.

This involves removing a section of the area of skin and sending it to a lab to check for signs of cancer. According to the American Cancer Society , surgery is the main treatment option for most melanomas. A person usually receives a general anesthetic for the procedure. The surgeon will remove the affected area of skin and a small amount of healthy skin around the margins, in an effort to eliminate the cancer completely.

The Melanoma Research Alliance gives the following advice for reducing the risk of skin cancer:. Although more common in very fair skin skin phototype 1 and 2 , it may also occur in those who tan quite easily phototype 3 , and occasionally in brown or black skin phototype Nodular melanoma is more common in males than in females.

Most are over the age of 50 when it is diagnosed. It is less strongly associated with sun exposure than superficial spreading and lentigo maligna types of melanoma.

Nodular melanoma presents as a rapidly enlarging lump over several weeks to months. The characteristics of nodular melanoma include:. One-third of nodular melanomas are not pigmented. Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Colour variation, large Diameter. Nodular melanoma Nodular melanoma. See more images of nodular melanoma. Nodular melanoma is due to the development of malignant pigment cells melanocytes along with the basal layer of the epidermis.

What triggers the melanocytes to become malignant is unknown, but it is likely to be a series of changes to the DNA. NRAS mutations are often found in patients with nodular melanomas. It is essential to diagnose nodular melanoma accurately.

Clinical diagnosis is aided by dermoscopy and skin biopsy usually excision biopsy. Those with melanoma that is more than 1 mm thick may be advised to have lymph node biopsy, imaging studies and blood tests. Dermoscopy , or the use of a dermatoscope , by a dermatologist or other doctor trained in its use, can be very helpful in distinguishing nodular melanoma from other skin lesions , such as:.

The most frequently observed dermoscopic features of nodular melanoma are:. If the skin lesion is suspected to be a nodular melanoma, it should be urgently cut out excision biopsy. A small biopsy is best avoided, except in unusually large lesions.

An incisional or punch biopsy could be misleading. The pathological diagnosis of melanoma can be challenging. Nodular melanomas have little or no spread of malignant cells within the epidermis; the melanoma cells are found within the dermis or subcutaneous fat.

Extra tests using immunohistochemical stains may be necessary. The pathologist 's report should include a macroscopic description of the specimen and melanoma the naked eye view and a microscopic description. The report may also include comments about the cell type and its growth pattern, invasion of blood vessels or nerves , inflammatory response, regression , and whether there is an associated naevus original mole. The Breslow thickness is reported for invasive melanomas.

Melanocytes are the cells responsible for making melanin, the pigment that determines the color of the skin. Nodular melanoma is the second most common type of melanoma , accounting for around 15 percent of all cases. Nodular melanoma can occur in people of all ages and all races.

It is much more common in people with a light complexion and in people over Spending a lot of time in the sun or a tanning bed is the major risk factor for nodular melanoma.

However, there are other reasons that nodular melanoma can develop. Learn more about melanoma risk factors. But there are other signs of melanoma to be aware of. Learn more about how to identify melanoma. Nodular melanoma is highly curable when diagnosed early.