Melanoma is one of the most common types of cancer. It is curable if the condition is diagnosed early. Advanced melanoma, however, is difficult to cure and can result in several complications. This can be anything from scarring, to changing of skin color, to more fatal results. This article discusses 8 common complications of melanoma, after the patient has undergone treatment.

1. Post-surgery wound infection
One of the major complications of melanoma is the risk of wound infection after surgery. Staph infection is often observed in those who have undergone melanoma surgery. Badly controlled diabetes, immune disorders, obesity, and use of steroids often increase the risk of complication due to wound infection.

2. Hematoma
This is a condition that cause bleeding under the surface of the skin. Hematoma leads to a mass forming under the skin, which puts strain on the incision made during the surgery. This results in the wound breaking open, leading to serious complications. Using blood thinners or undergoing extreme physical activities increases the risk of hematoma.

3. Scarring
Melanoma is generally treated with surgery, which leaves behind scars that may go deeper into the skin. This is because, during the surgery, healthy cells are also extracted along with the cancerous cells. Some face the complication of hypertrophic scarring or keloids, which a mound of scar tissue on the surface of the skin. Both these issues are common complications of melanoma.

4. Hypo- or hyper-pigmentation
An excess or deficit of melanin causes this complication in melanoma patients. Hyperpigmentation causes the skin to become darker in certain patches while hypopigmentation causes pigmentation loss. So, the skin appears lighter in these areas. Both this condition can occur at the site of melanoma treatment.

5. Change in texture of skin
In the case of aggressive melanoma, radiation often follows surgery during the treatment. This drains the area where the melanoma cells were present as well as the surrounding lymph nodes. Because of this, the skin feels tighter than usual. There is change in the blood vessels, and the skin’s texture also changes.

6. Lymphedema
This is a complication of melanoma that causes fluid buildup in the legs and arms. Due to this, there is severe swelling. Lymphedema occurs because of damage to or removal of the lymph nodes, which prevents the free flow of lymph fluids.

7. Nerve or bone damage
This complication occurs when melanoma is not treated as soon as possible. The cancerous cells grow deep into the body, affecting the bones, nerves, as well as the muscles. In such cases, the affected part has to be removed with surgery. This has a lifelong impact on how the body functions.

8. Metastasis
This is one of the major complications of melanoma. During metastasis, the cancerous cells spread from the skin to the other parts of the body. It can spread from the nearby lymph nodes to any other part of the system. Metastasis is often one of the main reasons of recurrence of cancer.