Malignant Melanoma
What is Malignant Melanoma (Skin Cancer) ?
MELANOMA is a cancer of the pigment producing cells in the skin, known as melanocytes.MELANOMA begins on the surface of the skin where it is easy to see and treat. If time given to grow, MELANOMA can grow down into the skin, ultimately reaching the blood and lymphatic vessels, and spread around the body (metastasize), causing life-threatening illness. It is curable when detected early, but can be fatal if allowed to progress and spread. The goal is to detect MELANOMA early when it is still on the surface of the skin…
Causes of Malignant Melanoma
It is not certain how all cases of MELANOMA develop. However, it is clear that excessive sun exposure, especially severe blistering sunburns early in life, can promote MELANOMA development. There is evidence that ultraviolet radiation used in indoor tanning equipment may cause MELANOMA. The risk for developing MELANOMA may also be inherited. Anyone can get MELANOMA, but fair-skinned sun-sensitive people are at a higher risk. Since ultraviolet radiation from the sun is a major culprit, people who tan poorly, or burn easily are at the greatest risk…
Signs And Symptoms of Malignant Melanoma
MELANOMA can occur anywhere on the skin or the nails, even in places not directly exposed to the sun like the eyes, mucous membranes (mouth and genitals), or internal organs. It is most common on the backs of men and legs of women. MELANOMA is usually brown or black in color, but sometimes, though rare, may be red, skin-colored, or white. It can arise from a pre-existing mole, or appear on previously normal skin. MELANOMAs grow slowly; therefore, growing, changing, or irregular lesions should arouse suspicion…
When looking at a spot on the skin it is helpful to apply the ABCD rules : -
Asymmetry : – Meaning one half is different than another. Draw an imaginary line through the middle of the lesion, either up and down or side to side. Are the two sides the same size and shape (symmetric)? MELANOMAs are usually asymmetric.
Border Irregularity : – The edge, or border, of MELANOMAs are usually ragged, notched, or blurred.
Color : – Benign moles can be any color, but a single mole will be only one color. MELANOMA often has a variety of hues and colors within the same lesion.
Diameter : – MELANOMAs continue to grow, while moles remain small. Is the lesion larger than a pencil eraser (6mm)?
Diagnosis of Melanoma (Skin Cancer)
A skin biopsy is usually necessary to confirm a MELANOMA diagnosis. In this procedure, the mole is removed and checked under a microscope. A skin biopsy often requires a local aesthetics.
A complete physical and ophthalmological (eye) examination should be done. Diagnostic imaging techniques such as x-ray, computed tomography (CAT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET scan) and radio-isotopic bone or organ scan may be included…
Tratment of Melanoma (Skin Cancer) in India
The best treatment is early detection. A quick look from a dermatologist can confirm whether a lesion is suspicious for MELANOMA. If so, the next step is to perform a biopsy. This involves numbing the area and removing the entire lesion, or a portion, which can be examined under a microscope. This simple, quick procedure is performed in the dermatologist’s office. If a MELANOMA is detected, treatment is guided by how deep the MELANOMA penetrates the skin.
Treatment for MELANOMA begins with the surgical removal of the MELANOMA and some normal-looking skin around the growth. Removal of the normal-looking skin is known as taking margins, and is done to be sure no MELANOMA is left behind. Early MELANOMA limited to the outermost layer of the skin (the epidermis) is known as MELANOMA in situ (in place), and simple surgical removal produces virtually a 100 percent cure rate. If left untreated, the MELANOMA grows deeper in the skin and is more likely to produce a life-threatening situation…
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Tags: excessive sun exposure, imaginary line, indoor tanning equipment, internal organs, lymphatic vessels, malignant melanoma, melanoma cancer treatment, melanoma skin cancer, red skin, ultraviolet radiation