Boston Melanoma Dermatologist

What Is Melanoma?

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. When found early and treated, melanoma can be cured. If allowed to grow and left untreated, melanoma can spread to other parts of the body and as a result, melanoma can be a deadly form of skin cancer. Your doctor may take a biopsy of a suspicious mole or growth to determine if it is melanoma.

Can Anyone Get Melanoma?

Anyone can get melanoma but research has shown indoor tanning increases a person’s melanoma risk by 75%. Some people have a higher risk of getting melanoma. These people have the following traits/risk factors:

• Are fair skinned
• Have sun-sensitive skin
• Have red hair
• Have over 50 moles, large moles or unusual-looking moles
• Have a weakened immune system
• Melanoma runs in the family
• Have spent a lot of time in the sun

What Is Melanoma Treatment?

The following melanoma treatments may be given to treat the skin

• Excision: a doctor will numb the skin and surgically cut out the melanoma and some of the normal-looking skin around the melanoma
• Mohs surgery: a surgeon will cut out the tumor and a very small amount of normal-looking skin surrounding the tumor. While the patient waits, the Mohs surgeon uses a microscope to look at what was removed to look for cancer cells. The surgeon will continue to remove a very small amount of skin until the surgeon no longer sees cancer cells under the microscope

If the melanoma gets deeper into the skin or spreads, a patient may need more treatment. Other melanoma treatments include:

• Lymphadenectomy: surgery to remove lymph nodes
• Immunotherapy: treatment that helps the patient’s immune system fight cancer
• Chemotherapy: Medicine that kills the cancer cells
• Radiation therapy: X-rays that kill the cancer cells

Hands down the BEST dermatologists in Boston!!!!! They diagnosed a melanoma that I had on my leg that my previous dermatologist told me not to worry about for 2 years! Appointments are super easy to make, the office is super clean and bright, and the staff is amazing as well. I can’t wait to try them out for some cosmetic stuff that I want done. I highly recommend the Dermatology Institute of Boston!!

– Christy Rathjens

Tips to Prevent Melanoma

• If you use tanning beds, stop immediately
• If you spend time outdoors, do it when the sun is less intense (before 10am or after 4pm)
• Wear sunscreen every day that is SPF 30 or higher and with “broad spectrum” protection (blocks against UVA and UVB rays)
• Wear sunglasses that have UV protection
• Get skin cancer screening by your dermatologist
• Check your skin for signs of cancer
• Know the ABCDE’s of melanoma

1. – Asymmetry
2. – Border
3. – Color
4. – Diameter
5. – Evolving

Schedule a Consultation

If you are concerned you may have melanoma and would like to visit our Boston office for a checkup, please schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified providers or contact our office directly.

Learn more at the American Academy of Dermatology: AAD Melanoma.