How Does Nodular Melanoma Begin?

Nodular melanoma is a type of skin cancer. It’s a dangerous form of melanoma that grows very quickly. However, only about 15% of all melanomas are nodular. But, it causes nearly half of melanoma-related deaths. So, it’s very important to know the signs. If it’s found early on, doctors may be able to cure it. In nodular melanoma, malignant melanoma cells proliferate downwards through the skin and this is known as vertical growth.


Source

Symptoms

You might not notice a nodular melanoma since these cancers don’t really have the usual warning signs of melanomas. You’ve probably heard that you should look out for moles that have:

• Asymmetry
• Uneven borders
• Different colors
• Spread or become large

But nodular melanomas are different. They don’t fit those guidelines at all. They usually appear as a round black bump. They can be blue, gray, red, or white. And it’s rare, but about 5% of the time, they don’t have an unusual color. Also, the melanoma is often solid in color with even borders.

Who Gets It?

Anyone can develop nodular melanoma. But it’s more common in men than women. The disease is most often found in men ages 50 and older. You’re more likely to get the cancer if you have one or more of the following:

• A family member who has or had skin cancer
• Pale skin that burns easily
• More than a few unusual-looking moles
• Spending lots of time in the sun

How is nodular melanoma treated?

Early stages of melanoma are treated by surgery to remove the melanoma and some of the healthy skin surrounding the melanoma. Your doctor may also recommend a lymph node biopsy so they can see if any cancer cells have spread to your lymph nodes.
Melanoma that has spread to lymph nodes or other organs requires other treatment methods, such as:

• radiation
• immunotherapy
• targeted therapy
• chemotherapy