Melanoma
Melanoma - a form of cancer that begins in cells that make the pigment melanin (aka melanocytes). It may begin in a mole, in the intestines, or other pigmented tissues such as in the eye. Melanocytes are found in the lower part of the epidermis and make the pigment (melanin) that gives skin its natural color. When skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes make more pigment, resulting in a darker skin.
The skin is the largest organ in the body that protects against heat, sunlight, injury, and infection. The skin has 2 layer: the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (inner layer). There are 3 types of skin cancer:
· Melanoma
· Basal cell skin cancer
· Squamous cell skin cancer
Melanoma is more aggressive than basal cell skin cancer or squamous cell skin cancer. It can occur anywhere on the body. In men, it is often found in the area from the shoulders to the hips, or the head and neck. In women, it often develops on the arms and legs. This disease is more common among adults, but it is found in children sometimes.
Health history, exposure to sun, and lack of monitoring/check-up of unusual looking moles increases the risk of developing melanoma. Some other factors that increase the risk are:
· Unusual moles.
· Exposure to natural sunlight.
· Exposure to artificial ultraviolet light (tanning booths).
· Family or personal history of melanoma.
· Being white and older than 20 years.
· Red or blond hair.
· White or light-colored skin and freckles.
· Blue eyes.
It is recommended to have a regular physical exam that includes a check for moles. A doctor should be informed about changes such as:
· A mole
· changes in size, shape, or color.
· has irregular edges or borders.
· is more than 1 color.
· is asymmetrical (different in size or shape when divided).
· itches.
· oozes, bleeds, or is ulcerated .
· Change in pigmented (colored) skin.
· Satellite moles (new moles that grow near an existing mole).
How to detect and diagnose melanoma?
Tests that examine the skin are used to detect and diagnose melanoma. The following tests can help in the detection process:
Skin examination - a doctor or nurse examines the skin to look for moles, birthmarks, or other pigmented areas that look abnormal in color, size, shape, or texture.
Biopsy - removal of cells or tissues (mole) to be checked under the microscope for cancer cells. Because melanoma can be hard to diagnose, patients should consider having their biopsy sample checked by a second pathologist.
After melanoma is diagnosed, tests that check if cancer cells have spread is conducted. The process to find whether the cancer has spread within the skin or to other parts of the body are called staging. The following test and procedures may be used to find in which stage the cancer is estimated to be:
Wide local excision - a procedure that removes a normal tissue around the area where melanoma was found, to check for cancer cells.
Lymph node mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy - procedures where radioactive substance and/or blue dye is injected near the tumor and the surgeon removes only the nodes with the radioactive substance.
Chest x-ray - an x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.
CT/CAT Scan - a procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. Often, a dye is injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues to show up more clearly. To learn more about different types of scans, please click here.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) - a medical procedure that uses radio waves, a magnet, and a computer to take detailed pictures of the body.
Lab test - procedures that test tissue, blood, urine, and other substance samples. These tests help in treatment and monitoring of the disease over time.
PET scan (positive emission tomography scan) - a procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body. A small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is given into the veins and the scanner makes pictures of the areas of the body where the glucose if being used. These malignant tumor cells appear brighter in the pictures because they are more active by using more glucose than normal cells.
Treatment for melanoma
Any suspicious areas should not be shaved or destroyed. Patient’s general health, the stage of melanoma, its location and size, and whether there is a bleeding/ulceration determines the treatment options. And important element to remember is that even after a successful treatment, melanoma can recur. Thus, regular check up/physical examination is recommended.
Melanoma - a form of cancer that begins in cells that make the pigment melanin (aka melanocytes). It may begin in a mole, in the intestines, or other pigmented tissues such as in the eye. Melanocytes are found in the lower part of the epidermis and make the pigment (melanin) that gives skin its natural color. When skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes make more pigment, resulting in a darker skin.
The skin is the largest organ in the body that protects against heat, sunlight, injury, and infection. The skin has 2 layer: the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (inner layer). There are 3 types of skin cancer:
· Melanoma
· Basal cell skin cancer
· Squamous cell skin cancer
Melanoma is more aggressive than basal cell skin cancer or squamous cell skin cancer. It can occur anywhere on the body. In men, it is often found in the area from the shoulders to the hips, or the head and neck. In women, it often develops on the arms and legs. This disease is more common among adults, but it is found in children sometimes.
Health history, exposure to sun, and lack of monitoring/check-up of unusual looking moles increases the risk of developing melanoma. Some other factors that increase the risk are:
· Unusual moles.
· Exposure to natural sunlight.
· Exposure to artificial ultraviolet light (tanning booths).
· Family or personal history of melanoma.
· Being white and older than 20 years.
· Red or blond hair.
· White or light-colored skin and freckles.
· Blue eyes.
It is recommended to have a regular physical exam that includes a check for moles. A doctor should be informed about changes such as:
· A mole
· changes in size, shape, or color.
· has irregular edges or borders.
· is more than 1 color.
· is asymmetrical (different in size or shape when divided).
· itches.
· oozes, bleeds, or is ulcerated .
· Change in pigmented (colored) skin.
· Satellite moles (new moles that grow near an existing mole).
How to detect and diagnose melanoma?
Tests that examine the skin are used to detect and diagnose melanoma. The following tests can help in the detection process:
Skin examination - a doctor or nurse examines the skin to look for moles, birthmarks, or other pigmented areas that look abnormal in color, size, shape, or texture.
Biopsy - removal of cells or tissues (mole) to be checked under the microscope for cancer cells. Because melanoma can be hard to diagnose, patients should consider having their biopsy sample checked by a second pathologist.
After melanoma is diagnosed, tests that check if cancer cells have spread is conducted. The process to find whether the cancer has spread within the skin or to other parts of the body are called staging. The following test and procedures may be used to find in which stage the cancer is estimated to be:
Wide local excision - a procedure that removes a normal tissue around the area where melanoma was found, to check for cancer cells.
Lymph node mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy - procedures where radioactive substance and/or blue dye is injected near the tumor and the surgeon removes only the nodes with the radioactive substance.
Chest x-ray - an x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.
CT/CAT Scan - a procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. Often, a dye is injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues to show up more clearly. To learn more about different types of scans, please click here.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) - a medical procedure that uses radio waves, a magnet, and a computer to take detailed pictures of the body.
Lab test - procedures that test tissue, blood, urine, and other substance samples. These tests help in treatment and monitoring of the disease over time.
PET scan (positive emission tomography scan) - a procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body. A small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is given into the veins and the scanner makes pictures of the areas of the body where the glucose if being used. These malignant tumor cells appear brighter in the pictures because they are more active by using more glucose than normal cells.
Treatment for melanoma
Any suspicious areas should not be shaved or destroyed. Patient’s general health, the stage of melanoma, its location and size, and whether there is a bleeding/ulceration determines the treatment options. And important element to remember is that even after a successful treatment, melanoma can recur. Thus, regular check up/physical examination is recommended.
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What is Cancer Glossary of Cancer/Treatment Terms Types of scans to detect cancer
Common Types of Cancer*
Bladder Cancer Breast Cancer Colon Cancer Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer Leukemia (adult) Leukemia (child)
Lung Cancer Melanoma Pancreatic Cancer Prostate Cancer Skin Cancer (Nonmelanoma) Thyroid Cancer
* Common Types of Cancer - cancers diagnosed with greatest frequency in the United States
What is Cancer Glossary of Cancer/Treatment Terms Types of scans to detect cancer
Common Types of Cancer*
Bladder Cancer Breast Cancer Colon Cancer Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer Leukemia (adult) Leukemia (child)
Lung Cancer Melanoma Pancreatic Cancer Prostate Cancer Skin Cancer (Nonmelanoma) Thyroid Cancer
* Common Types of Cancer - cancers diagnosed with greatest frequency in the United States
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© Copyright 2015. Cancer Crisis Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
home | about us |get involved | donate | resources | contact us
© Copyright 2015. Cancer Crisis Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.