Mucosal Melanoma: The Skin Cancer You’ve Never Heard About
Source: Health Central, May 2023
Most people in the world will go their lifetime without even hearing the term “mucosal melanoma.” That’s not surprising, given that this type of cancer accounts for just 1% of all melanomas, and it doesn’t look or act like the kinds of skin cancer you’ve read about, such as basal cell carcinoma or melanoma.
Simply put, mucosal melanoma is a form of cancer that affects the mucous membranes in your body—that is, the moist lining of your nose, lips, mouth, anus, vagina, and any other area covered by this thin, protective layer. Because the locations where it tends to appear are areas you probably don’t monitor or simply may find a bit too private to talk much about, by the time mucosal melanoma is diagnosed, it’s often spread and has advanced to metastatic cancer.
That’s why it’s even more important to arm yourself with info, by learning exactly what mucosal melanoma is, the signs to look for, and what to do if you suspect you have it.