Health
The stages of melanoma and the treatment options
Melanoma is a severe type of skin cancer that usually develops in the tissues of the skin cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes are responsible for producing the melanin pigment, which determines the color of the skin. Moreover, melanoma can also form in various other organs, such as the intestine and eyes, but such cases are rare. Medical science is yet to define the exact cause of melanoma. It has been observed that regular exposure to ultraviolet radiations from various sources such as sunlight or tanning lamps can cause melanoma. Studies have also found that women under the age of 40 are at a higher risk of developing the disease; however, limiting the exposure to UV radiation helps in minimizing the risk. Stages of melanoma Based on the symptoms and severity, the stages of melanoma are spread across 0 to 4: Stage 0 : If cancer has affected only the outermost layer of the skin, the condition is known as melanoma in situ. This condition is referred to as stage 0. Stage 1 : If cancer has affected up to 2 mm of the thickness of the skin, the condition is referred to as stage 1. In this stage, the lymph nodes and other parts do not get ulcered.
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