Melanoma (skin cancer) is the uncontrolled division of melanocytes present in the skin. These melanocytes contain the skin pigment, melanin. The primary reason behind this incessant division is the skin’s excessive exposure to the ultraviolet radiation which triggers the DNA of the melanocytes to undergo mutation. Thereafter, the cells fail to perform their original function and instead tend to divide uncontrollably resulting in a mole or tumor in the skin.

For men, melanoma mostly occurs on the back, and in the case of women, it appears on the legs. Malignant melanoma, on the other hand, typically develops in the skin.

Causes of melanoma (skin cancer)
The increased amount of sunrays accompanied by UV rays that penetrate the skin layer is likely to be the potential cause of skin cancer or melanoma.

Having a family history of cancer also plays a vital role since it is a proven fact that genetics has a lot to do with the development of cancer. It is a hereditary disease and the genes can be passed on to generations irrespective of them being dominant or recessive in nature.

Symptoms of melanoma (skin cancer)
In the case of skin cancer, it is very likely that the course of the skin will change from usually how it feels or looks like. There may be lumps, moles, or any other similar changes.

• Moles:  Generally, moles are of brown or black color with a distinct borderline that distinguishes it from the rest of the skin. In the case of skin cancer, these start to change shape, size, and color over time.
• Soreness:  Sometimes, these moles may become sore and not heal quickly. The area may often bleed as well.
• Itchy sensation:  It is often observed that the spots become itchy. An individual is likely to experience a sense of pain or tenderness in the skin.
• Surface change:  The surface of a persistent mole also starts to change. It may start to bleed and pus may ooze out of it. There may be some visible lumps and bumps around the mole as well.

Treatment of melanoma (skin cancer)
The treatment of melanoma is usually performed depending on the stage of the same. Alongside, the health of the patient and age is also an important factor in deciding the treatment. The treatments have been mentioned in detail as follows:

• Stage 0:  This is the initial stage of melanoma. In order to treat this, a small incision is made onto the topmost layers of the skin known as the epidermis to remove the cancerous cells.
• Stage 1:  In this stage, the cancer cells are likely to have gone a little deeper than stage 0. Thus, a greater margin of skin might be needed to be removed along with a little portion of the healthy cells as well.
• Stage 2:  It is cured by performing a surgery which includes removing a portion of the skin along with a margin of healthy skin in the adjacent areas of melanoma. Sometimes, a sentinel lymph node biopsy may be done.
• Stage 3:  This is quite an advanced stage, and the cancerous cells may have reached the lymph vessels already. Thus, a part of the skin is removed along with the lymph nodes as well. Certain vaccines such as T-VEC are directly injected into the melanoma.
• Stage 4:  This is the last stage of melanoma or skin cancer, and is thus, very dangerous. Herein, cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body as well.