Melanoma facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Melanoma
Synonyms	Malignant melanoma
A melanoma of approximately 2.5 cm (1 in) by 1.5 cm (0.6 in)
Symptoms	Mole that is increasing in size, has irregular edges, change in color, itchiness, or skin breakdown.
Causes	Ultraviolet light (Sun, tanning devices)
Risk factors	Family history, many moles, poor immune function
Diagnostic method	Tissue biopsy
Similar conditions	Seborrheic keratosis, lentigo, blue nevus, dermatofibroma
Prevention	Sunscreen, avoiding UV light
Treatment	Surgery
Prognosis	Five-year survival rates in US 99% (localized), 25% (disseminated)
Frequency	3.1 million (2015)
Deaths	59,800 (2015)

Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer. It starts in cells called melanocytes. These cells make the color (pigment) in your skin.

Most melanomas appear on the skin. But sometimes, they can show up in other places. This includes the mouth, intestines, or even the eye. For women, melanomas are often found on the legs. For men, they are most common on the back.

About one-quarter of melanomas begin from moles. It's important to watch your moles for changes. Signs of melanoma can include a mole getting bigger or having uneven edges. Other signs are a change in color, feeling itchy, or the skin breaking down.

The main cause of melanoma is too much ultraviolet light (UV) exposure. This is especially true for people with less skin pigment called melanin. UV light comes from the sun. It also comes from other sources, like tanning devices.

Some people are more likely to get melanoma. This includes those with many moles or a family history of melanoma. People with a weak immune system are also at higher risk. Rare genetic conditions can also increase the risk. Doctors diagnose melanoma by taking a small piece of skin (a biopsy) to check for cancer cells.

You can help prevent melanoma by using sunscreen. It's also good to avoid too much UV light. Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the cancer. If the cancer is a bit larger, doctors might check nearby lymph nodes. This helps see if the cancer has spread. Most people are cured if the cancer has not spread.

If melanoma has spread, other treatments might be used. These include immunotherapy, biologic therapy, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. These treatments can help people live longer.

Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. In 2012, about 232,000 people worldwide got melanoma. In 2015, 3.1 million people had the disease. It caused 59,800 deaths that year. Australia and New Zealand have the highest rates of melanoma. It's also common in Northern Europe and North America. It's less common in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In the United States, men get melanoma more often than women. Melanoma has become more common since the 1960s, especially among people of European descent.

What Causes Melanoma?

Melanomas are usually caused by damage to our DNA. This damage often comes from being exposed to UV light from the sun. Your genes also play a part. Melanoma can even show up in skin areas that don't get much sun. This includes your mouth, the soles of your feet, or the palms of your hands.

People with a condition called dysplastic nevus syndrome have a higher risk. This condition is also known as familial atypical multiple mole melanoma.

Having more than 50 moles can mean you have a higher chance of getting melanoma. A weak immune system also makes it easier for cancer to develop. This is because your body's ability to fight cancer cells is not as strong.

UV Radiation and Your Skin

UV radiation from tanning beds makes your risk of melanoma go up. The International Agency for Research on Cancer says tanning beds can cause cancer in humans. They found that people who start using tanning devices before age 30 are 75% more likely to get melanoma.

People who work in airplanes also seem to have a higher risk. This is likely because they get more UV exposure.

Having many severe sunburns increases your chance of getting melanoma later. This is due to the damage building up over time. The sun and tanning beds are the main sources of UV radiation. Living close to the equator also means more exposure to UV radiation.

How Genetics Affect Risk

Some rare changes in our genes can greatly increase the risk of melanoma. These changes often run in families. Several genes are known to increase these risks.

People with fair or red hair have less melanin in their skin. This means they have less natural protection from UV radiation. People with many unusual moles (called atypical or dysplastic nevi) are also at higher risk. So are those born with very large moles called giant congenital melanocytic nevi.

A family history of melanoma greatly increases a person's risk. This is because changes in certain genes have been found in families prone to melanoma. If someone has already had one melanoma, they are more likely to get a second one.

See also

In Spanish: Melanoma para niños