Melanoma

Melanoma: The most serious form of skin cancer

Expert Melanoma Care at Refine Dermatology

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, but when detected early, it is highly treatable. At Refine Dermatology in Knoxville, Tennessee, we specialize in the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of melanoma, providing personalized care designed to protect both your health and your peace of mind.

Led by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jill Salyards, our practice is committed to delivering thorough, patient-centered dermatologic care in a welcoming, locally owned environment. Whether you’ve noticed a concerning mole or are scheduling a routine skin exam, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

What Is Melanoma?

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in melanocytes. These are the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its color. While melanoma is less common than other types of skin cancer, it is significantly more aggressive due to its ability to grow quickly and spread to other parts of the body.

The key to successful treatment is early detection. When melanoma is identified in its earliest stages, outcomes are excellent, and treatment is often straightforward.

What Causes Melanoma?

The most common cause of melanoma is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Over time, UV damage can lead to changes in skin cells that increase the risk of cancer.

However, melanoma is not limited to sun-exposed areas. It can develop anywhere on the body, including the scalp, soles of the feet, or under the nails. It can affect individuals of all ages.

Additional risk factors include:

• A history of sunburns or intense UV exposure
• Use of tanning beds
• Having many moles or atypical (dysplastic) moles
• A personal or family history of melanoma
• Fair skin, light eyes, or freckling
• A weakened immune system

Understanding your personal risk is an important first step in prevention and early detection.

How to Recognize Melanoma: The ABCDEs

One of the most effective tools for identifying melanoma early is the ABCDE rule. This simple guide helps you evaluate moles and skin lesions for warning signs:

• A – Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other
• B – Border: Edges are irregular, jagged, or poorly defined
• C – Color: Uneven color or multiple shades (brown, black, red, white, or blue)
• D – Diameter: Larger than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser), though melanomas can be smaller
• E – Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color, or symptoms like itching or bleeding

In addition to the ABCDEs, dermatologists often use the “ugly duckling” sign—meaning a mole that looks different from all others on your body. If something stands out or is changing, it’s worth having it evaluated.

Types of Melanoma

There are several types of melanoma, each with unique characteristics:

• Superficial Spreading Melanoma: The most common type, often appearing as a flat, irregularly shaped lesion with varied color
• Nodular Melanoma: A more aggressive form that is often raised and darker in color
• Lentigo Maligna Melanoma: Typically found on sun-damaged skin, especially in older adults
• Acral Lentiginous Melanoma: A rarer type that can occur on the palms, soles, or under the nails

Each type requires careful evaluation and a tailored treatment approach.

What to Expect During a Skin Check

If you visit Refine Dermatology with a concerning spot, your appointment will begin with a thorough skin evaluation. We take the time to carefully examine your skin, often using a dermatoscope, which is a specialized tool that allows us to see structures beneath the surface more clearly.

If a lesion appears suspicious, a biopsy may be recommended. This is a quick, in-office procedure where a small sample, or sometimes the entire lesion, is removed and sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Biopsies are generally well tolerated, heal quickly, and provide the definitive information needed for an accurate diagnosis. Results are typically available within one to two weeks, and our team will review them with you in detail.

Melanoma Diagnosis and Staging

If melanoma is diagnosed, the next step is determining how advanced it is. This is often based on the depth of the lesion (known as Breslow depth), which helps guide treatment decisions.

In some cases, additional testing, such as a sentinel lymph node biopsy, may be recommended to determine whether the melanoma has spread beyond the skin.

Early-stage melanomas are often localized and highly treatable, while more advanced cases may require additional therapies.

Treatment Options for Melanoma

Treatment for melanoma depends on the stage, location, and individual patient factors. At Refine Dermatology, we create personalized treatment plans designed for the best possible outcomes.

Common treatment options include:

• Surgical Excision: The most common and effective treatment for early-stage melanoma, involving removal of the tumor along with a margin of healthy skin
• Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: Used to assess whether cancer has spread
• Immunotherapy: Helps the immune system target and destroy cancer cells
• Targeted Therapy: Uses medications that target specific genetic mutations
• Radiation Therapy or Chemotherapy: May be recommended in certain advanced cases

When melanoma is caught early, surgery alone is often curative.

Why Early Detection Matters

Melanoma outcomes are closely tied to how early it is detected. Early-stage melanomas have a very high survival rate, while delayed diagnosis can allow the cancer to grow deeper and spread.

This is why regular skin checks, both at home and with a professional, are so important. Recognizing changes early can significantly impact treatment success.

Preventing Melanoma

While not all melanomas can be prevented, many cases are linked to UV exposure and can be reduced with simple, consistent habits.

We recommend:

• Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day
• Reapplying sunscreen every two hours when outdoors
• Wearing hats, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing
• Seeking shade during peak sun hours
• Avoiding tanning beds completely

Prevention is one of the most powerful tools you have to protect your skin long-term.

Monthly Skin Checks at Home

Performing a monthly skin check is one of the easiest and most effective ways to detect melanoma early.

Be sure to examine:

• Your back and shoulders
• The backs of your legs
• The soles of your feet
• Your scalp, ears, and between your toes

Look for anything new, changing, or unusual. If something catches your attention, trust your instincts and schedule an evaluation.

Professional Skin Exams in Knoxville, TN

In addition to at-home checks, professional skin exams play a critical role in early detection. Most adults benefit from a baseline skin exam, with follow-up visits based on individual risk factors.

At Refine Dermatology, we provide comprehensive skin cancer screenings and personalized care plans tailored to your needs. Our goal is not only to detect skin cancer early, but to help you maintain healthy skin for years to come.

When to See a Dermatologist

You should schedule an appointment if you notice:

• A new or changing mole
• A spot that looks different from others
• A lesion that itches, bleeds, or does not heal

Melanoma can progress quickly, but early action can make a significant difference.

Schedule a Melanoma Screening in Knoxville

If you have concerns about your skin or are due for a skin check, the team at Refine Dermatology is here to help. We are proud to serve patients throughout Knoxville and surrounding communities with expert, compassionate dermatologic care.

Early detection saves lives, and it starts with paying attention to your skin.

Call our office today or request an appointment online to schedule your skin exam!

Frequently Asked Questions About Melanoma

What does melanoma look like?

Melanoma can appear in many different ways, but common warning signs include a mole that is asymmetrical, has irregular borders, multiple colors, is growing in size, or is changing over time. Some melanomas may also itch, bleed, or become tender. If a spot looks different from the rest of your moles, it should be evaluated by a dermatologist.

Is melanoma dangerous?

Yes. Melanoma is considered the most serious type of skin cancer because it has the ability to spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. However, when detected early, melanoma is highly treatable and outcomes are often excellent.

How is melanoma diagnosed?

Melanoma is diagnosed through a skin examination and biopsy. During a biopsy, a dermatologist removes part or all of a suspicious lesion and sends it to a pathology lab for evaluation under a microscope.

What causes melanoma?

The most common cause of melanoma is ultraviolet (UV) exposure from the sun or tanning beds. Genetics, fair skin, a history of sunburns, and family history can also increase your risk.

Can melanoma develop in places that don’t get sun exposure?

Yes. Melanoma can occur anywhere on the body, including areas that receive very little sun exposure such as the soles of the feet, under the nails, or the scalp.

How often should I get a skin check?

Most adults should have a baseline skin exam with a dermatologist. The frequency of follow-up visits depends on your personal risk factors, including your skin type, number of moles, history of sun exposure, and family history of skin cancer. We typically recommend most adults have their skin checked each year.

What happens if melanoma is found early?

When melanoma is detected early, treatment is often limited to a surgical excision to completely remove the cancerous cells. Early detection dramatically improves outcomes and reduces the likelihood of the cancer spreading.

Where can I get a melanoma screening in Knoxville, TN?

Refine Dermatology in Knoxville, Tennessee offers comprehensive skin cancer screenings, mole evaluations, biopsies, and melanoma treatment. If you have a concerning spot or are due for a skin check, our team is here to help.