The “ABCDE’s” of Melanoma

Tag Archives: Melanoma

Did you know that melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer? Although it is less common than other forms of skin cancer it can spread quickly and develop anywhere on the skin. The disease is caused from overexposure to sun or ultraviolet radiation, especially within people that have fair skin.
There are five major signs/symptoms to look for when determining if you may have some form of Melanoma. These are known as the ABCDE’s of Melanoma and they include:

A-Asymmetry: Early forms of melanoma are asymmetrical, meaning that you cannot draw a line down the middle and have equal parts on each side.

B-Borders: Uneven borders with irregularities or blurs.
melanoma borders

C-Color: Varying shades of brown, blue or black.
melanoma color

D-Diameter (size): Melanoma tend to be larger than normal moles, ones the size of a pencil eraser are something that you should look at closely.melanoma diameter

E-Evolving: Any changes in the size, shape, color, or feel.
melanoma evolving

If you are unsure if any of these signs pertain to you or notice that some might, do not hesitate to set up an appointment immediately at the Lisa S. Ball, NP Building.

Legendary reggae musician Bob Marley was a larger-than-life personality whose influence transcended music. Sadly, on May 11, 1981 he passed away at the age of only 36. His premature death was believed to have been attributed to an acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM).

Bob Marley Van

What is acral lentiginous melanoma?

It is a rare (and deadly) form of skin cancer that is typically found on the palms of hands, soles on feet, or underneath the nails.

When was it first noticed?

The first indication of Marley’s melanoma occurred after a soccer game in the summer of 1977. During the game, he badly injured his right big toe. Thinking it was just a bruise, he didn’t end up getting it evaluated any further. In the coming days, the site of the injury worsened, so a biopsy (small sample removal of skin tissue) was done. This confirmed a diagnosis of melanoma.

What happened after?

The medical staff recommended that the toe, and possibly even the foot, be amputated to avoid the cancer from spreading. He instead opted for an excision (surgical removal of skin tissue) of the site and surrounding areas. The treatment was believed to have completely removed the cancerous lesion. Then a few years later, in September of 1980, he was diagnosed with a brain and lung tumor. It is believed that this was the result of the melanoma on his toe spreading before it received treatment. Eight months later, Bob Marley passed away in a Miami area hospital.

As tragic as this situation was, it highlights the importance of early detection. Because while melanoma is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, if found early, it can be one of the most treatable. So, if you haven’t had your skin examined in a while, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.