Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that starts in melanocytes, the cells that give your skin its color. It's the most aggressive form of skin cancer, but it's also one of the most treatable when caught early.
Unlike other skin cancers that tend to stay on the surface, melanoma can grow downward into deeper skin layers and spread to other organs. Think of it like a weed that doesn't just spread across the surface but sends roots deep underground.
In India, melanoma is often diagnosed late because many people associate skin cancer with lighter skin tones and don't realize it affects all skin types.
It's less common than other skin cancers like basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, but it accounts for the majority of skin cancer deaths.
In India, melanoma incidence is lower than in Western countries with predominantly fair-skinned populations.
First, awareness about melanoma in India remains low compared to awareness about internal cancers.
Second, the acral type, which develops on palms, soles, and under nails, is more common in darker-skinned populations and often gets missed. Most oncologists agree that any new or changing skin lesion deserves evaluation, regardless of skin color.
Not all types of melanomas behave the same way. The type determines growth patterns and treatment approach:
Mucosal Lentiginous Melanoma
Desmoplastic Melanoma
Intraocular Melanoma
Put simply, superficial spreading melanoma is the most common type and tends to grow outward before going deeper.
Nodular melanoma is more aggressive because it grows vertically from the start. In India, acral lentiginous melanoma is the type doctors see most frequently; actually, it's often found on the soles of the feet, where people don't think to look.
Stages of melanoma map how deep the melanoma has grown and whether it has spread. It's a bit like measuring how far a crack has penetrated through a wall:
Symptoms and causes that the ABCDE rule helps identify suspicious moles. In most cases, though not all, melanoma shows up as a change in an existing mole or as a new, unusual-looking spot on the skin. Roughly speaking, any mole that looks different from the others or changes over time deserves a closer look:
Several factors push melanocytes toward cancerous changes. It's like a combination lock where UV exposure is the biggest key:
And what many doctors won't say outright is that even a few severe sunburns during childhood or adolescence can raise melanoma risk decades later.
If a mole has changed in size, shape, or color, or if a new skin lesion looks different from everything else on your body, it's time to see a dermatologist or oncologist.
And if there's a family history of melanoma, regular skin checks should start earlier. The honest answer is that a visual exam takes minutes and can catch melanoma when it's still on the surface and easiest to treat.
A melanoma diagnosis doesn't rely on appearance alone. First, a physical exam identifies suspicious lesions. Second, a biopsy confirms whether the tissue is cancerous and measures how deep it has grown. Third, imaging checks for spread to lymph nodes or distant organs.
Treatment depends on the stage and depth of the melanoma. Or rather, thin melanomas caught early may only need surgery, while advanced cases require a combination of approaches.
But even advanced melanoma treatment has improved dramatically with immunotherapy and targeted therapy:
Adjuvant Therapy
Neoadjuvant Therapy
Dermatologic oncologists and surgical specialists at HCG Cancer Hospital in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata handle melanoma from initial skin examination through treatment and long-term surveillance. Melanoma outcomes depend on depth at diagnosis and the quality of surgical margins.
And HCG Cancer Hospital's access to immunotherapy and targeted therapy gives advanced-stage patients options that weren't available a decade ago.
There's no guaranteed way to prevent melanoma entirely. Well, almost always the most controllable risk factor is UV exposure. Think of sun protection as stacking the odds in your favor.
But even with perfect sun habits, melanoma can develop in areas that never see sunlight, which is why regular self-checks matter.
Diet alone won't prevent melanoma, but certain foods contain compounds that support skin health. It's a bit like adding an extra layer of defense alongside sun protection:
Melanoma is aggressive but highly treatable when caught early. Self-examination using the ABCDE rule takes minutes and can catch changes before they become dangerous. If you notice anything unusual on your skin, don't wait for it to change further.
Feel free to reach out to us.
