Melanoma takes many different forms. To find out if your mole could be a melanoma, a doctor will need to examine you. Prevention is the best way to avoid this disease. Minimizing sun exposure will significantly decrease your risk of getting melanoma. Keeping a good lookout for changing moles is the key to finding melanoma early.
Treatment of melanoma is initially surgical.
Once melanoma has spread, it is much more difficult to treat. You should tell your doctor if you have any moles or new growths that are changing. Studies are underway to see if certain chemotherapies with or without radiation treatment can be effective, but thus far we do not have any great treatments for metastatic melanoma. Other research, including a vaccination that strengthens the body's own response to the cancer, is currently underway. For more information on malignant melanoma, click here .