At The Velvet Skin Centre, our expert dermatologist provides accurate screening and care for melanoma treatment, ensuring safe and reliable skin health.
Dr. Asma Parveen, MBBS, MD Dermatology | 14+ Years Experience
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Melanoma, a “black tumour,” is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It multiplies and can spread to any body part.
Melanoma comes from skin cells named melanocytes. These cells produce melanin, the dark pigment that gives skin its colour. Most melanomas are brown or black, but some are red, pink, purple or skin-coloured.
Approximately 30% of melanomas begin in existing moles, but the rest start in typical skin. It makes it especially important to pay attention to changes in your skin because most melanomas don’t begin as moles. Yet, how many moles you have may help predict your skin’s risk of developing melanoma.
Knowing if you’re in a high-risk group for developing melanoma skin cancer is essential. Due to the fast growth rate of melanomas, a treatment delay may sometimes mean the difference between life and death.
Understanding your risk can help you be extra vigilant in watching differences in your skin and seeking skin tests since melanomas have a 99% cure rate if detected in the early phases. Earlier detection is significant because therapy success is directly related to the depth of the cancerous growth.
Most experts agree that a significant risk element for melanoma is overexposure to sunlight, particularly sunburns when you are young.
| Cause | Details |
|---|---|
| UV Exposure | Solar ultraviolet (UV) rays cause 86% of melanomas. Direct UV exposure can damage a cell’s DNA, altering specific genes that affect how cells grow and divide. |
| Tanning Beds | UV radiation from tanning beds boosts the risk of melanoma and has been classified as a carcinogen (cancer-causing) by the World Health Organization. Tanning bed use may grow to over 3,000 cases of melanoma per year in India. |
Melanomas can develop anywhere in your body. However, they often grow in areas exposed to the sunlight, such as your back, legs, arms and face.
Melanomas can also appear in areas that don’t receive extensive sun exposure, such as the palms of your hands, fingernail beds, and soles of your feet. These concealed melanomas are more common in people who have darker skin.
The first melanoma signs and symptoms usually are:
Normal moles are generally a uniform colour — such as brown, tan or black — with a different area separating the mole from your surrounding skin. They’re elliptic or round and usually less than 1/4 inch (about 6 millimetres) in diameter — the size of a pencil eraser.
Most moles start appearing in youth, and new moles may form until age forty. Most people have between ten and forty moles by the time they are adults. Moles may change in appearance, and some may disappear over the years.
To help you identify aspects of unusual moles that may suggest melanomas or different skin cancers, use the ABCDE rule:
| Letter | Stands For | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| A | Asymmetrical Shape | Look for moles with varying conditions, such as two very different-looking halves. |
| B | Irregular Border | Look for moles with rough, notched or scalloped edges — characteristics of melanomas. |
| C | Colour Changes | Look for growths that have many colours or an uneven distribution of colour. |
| D | Diameter | Look for new growth in a mole over 1/4 inch (about 6 millimetres). |
| E | Evolving | Look for differences over time, such as a mole that increases or changes colour or shape. Moles may also develop new signs and symptoms, such as new itchiness or bleeding. |
Cancerous (malignant) moles vary greatly in appearance. Some may show all the abovementioned differences, while others may contain only one or two unique qualities.
Melanomas can also grow in areas of your body that contain little or no exposure to the sun, such as the areas between your toes and on your palms, soles, genitals or scalp. As a result, they appear in places most people wouldn’t check. This is called hidden melanomas. In addition, when melanoma occurs in people with darker skin, it’s more likely to happen in remote areas.
Treatment for melanoma depends on the stage, depth, and location of the cancer. Early-stage melanomas can often be removed with surgery, while advanced cases may require additional therapies.
| Treatment | What It Does | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical Excision | Removes the melanoma and a margin of healthy tissue | Early-stage melanoma |
| Mohs Surgery | Removes melanoma layer by layer, preserving healthy tissue | Melanomas on sensitive areas (face, hands) |
| Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy | Checks if cancer has spread to lymph nodes | Staging and treatment planning |
| Immunotherapy | Boosts the immune system to fight cancer cells | Advanced or high-risk melanoma |
| Targeted Therapy | Targets specific genetic mutations in melanoma cells | Melanoma with BRAF mutations |
| Radiation Therapy | Uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells | Cases where surgery isn’t possible |
Important: Early detection is critical. Melanomas have a 99% cure rate if detected in the early phases.
The cost of melanoma treatment depends on the stage, treatment type, and complexity
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Surgical Excision (per lesion) | Starting from ₹5,000 |
| Mohs Surgery (per lesion) | Starting from ₹10,000 |
| Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy | Discussed at consultation |
| Immunotherapy (per session) | Discussed at consultation |
| Targeted Therapy (per month) | Discussed at consultation |
| Radiation Therapy (per session) | Discussed at consultation |
*Final pricing is determined after your consultation with Dr. Asma, based on your specific needs and treatment plan.
The best way to protect yourself from melanoma is to reduce UV exposure and monitor your skin.
Dr. Asma Parveen is a renowned dermatologist with an MD in Dermatology and over 14 years of clinical experience. She is known for her honest approach, personalised treatment plans, and natural-looking results.
Melanoma requires accurate diagnosis and timely treatment. Dr. Asma personally evaluates every patient, performs thorough skin checks, and recommends the most appropriate treatment plan — ensuring the best possible outcomes.
Indira Nagar
Thakurganj
Yes, melanoma has a 99% cure rate if detected in the early phases. Early detection is critical because treatment success is directly related to the depth of the cancerous growth.
At The Velvet Skin Centre:
Your exact cost will be confirmed at consultation based on the stage and treatment plan.
You should see a dermatologist if a mole changes in size, shape, or colour, or if it stings, burns, itches, bleeds, oozes, or crusts. Early consultation is key.
Diagnosis typically involves a skin examination, dermoscopy, and a biopsy. During a biopsy, a small sample of the suspicious mole or growth is removed and examined under a microscope to confirm whether it is melanoma.
Normal moles are uniform in colour, round or oval, and less than 6mm in diameter. Melanomas are often asymmetrical, have irregular borders, contain multiple colours, are larger than 6mm, and change over time (the ABCDE rule).
Yes, melanoma can recur, either at the original site or in other parts of the body. Regular follow-up appointments and skin checks are essential after treatment to monitor for recurrence.
Don’t ignore a changing mole or suspicious growth. Book your consultation with Dr. Asma and experience accurate screening and expert care.
Call us today at 8002558860 or fill out the form below to schedule your consultation and claim your 10% OFF on your first visit!
