Malignant melanoma is a cancer of the skin that can spread to internal organs. It occurs in about 32,000 persons a year. Incidence is increasing at a rapid rate worldwide.

It is important to pay attention to any changes on your skin. A change in the size or color of a mole or other darkly pigmented growth could be an early sign of melanoma. A mole becoming ulcerated or bleeding easily from a slight injury is another warning sign. Since melanoma can spread quickly, don't hesitate to have your skin checked by your doctor. Learn how to do a monthly skin self-exam.

There is an ABCD guideline for watching your skin.
* A stands for asymmetry. That means that one half of your mole is different from the other half.
* B stands for border. If the border of your mole becomes irregular, have it checked.
* C is for color. The red flag, so to speak, is a mole that seems to have the three colors of the American flag: red, white, and blue. Changes in color should be checked by your doctor.
* D is for diameter. The diameter is the length of a mole from any end to the opposite end. If this increases, or if it is bigger than 6 millimeters, you should have it checked.

Melanomas are much more common in places with lots of sunlight. All persons, but particularly those with fair skin, should avoid sunburn.

Surgery is used to treat melanoma. The primary growth must be removed. If nearby lymph nodes are involved, it may be necessary to remove those also. For local malignant melanoma, the 5-year survival rate is 94 percent. Prevention and early detection are very important in this disease. To learn more about malignant melanoma, call the American Cancer Society at (800) ACS-2345 or the National Cancer Institute at (800) 4-CANCER.

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