In the first part of this article about Melanoma, we learned about what is Melanoma and what are the causes. In this part we will find out about symptoms of Melanoma.
Signs & Symptoms of Melanoma
Look for changes in the moles. The ABCD system of the American Cancer Society is very easy to understand.
A-Asymmetry. One half doesn't match the other half.
B-Border irregularity, with ragged, notched, or blurred edges.
C- Color. The pigmentation is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown, and black are present. Changes in colour distribution, especially the spread of colour from the edge of a mole into the surrounding skin, also are an early sign of melanoma.
D-Diameter. The mole or skin growth is larger than 6 mm (0.2 in.).
Any other change in the appearance of an existing mole should be looked into for a possibility of Melanoma. Thickening or raising of a previously flat mole, scaling, erosion, oozing, bleeding, or crusting of the mole surface, redness, swelling, etc. in the surrounding skin or sensations, such as itching, tingling, or burning and friability of the mole are symptoms of melanoma. As melanoma grows, the symptoms such as bleeding from a mole or pain may appear.
A melanoma which has begun to spread may include- swollen lymph nodes, colourless lump or thickening under the skin, unexplained weight loss and melanosis(graying skin).These symptoms are not conclusive and are manifested in many other conditions.
Graying of the skin (melanosis). Many other conditions have symptoms similar to melanoma.
This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.
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Showing posts with label Skin Cancer Melanoma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Skin Cancer Melanoma. Show all posts
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Skin Cancer - Melanoma - 3
Melanoma Diagnosis
Biopsy of the suspected tissue confirms the presence of Melanoma. If the tumor is bigger than 1 mm in thickness, lymph nodes may be examined for possible presence of melanoma cells in the nodes. A whole body scan also helps in finding out if the cancer has spread.
Treatment of Melanoma-
The choice of treatment depends upon the stage of melanoma. Melanoma progresses from the primary stage to fourth stage. In the fourth stage, the cancer has spread to different body parts. During the initial stages, surgery to remove the cancerous growth is the first choice. Treatment with Interferon is also used for melanoma that has spread to lymph nodes. For the fourth stage, you may have to discuss the treatment options with your oncologist. It is mostly incurable at this stage.
High Risk Groups-
* Exposure to UV radiation is the biggest risk factor. Most of this exposure takes place during the childhood. Those who are involved with jobs that keep them outdoor for a long time are also at risk.
* Presence of atypical moles (dysplastic nevi).
* White race. People who have fair skin that burns rather than tans, red hair, or blue eyes are at a higher risk.
* Previous melanoma or other skin cancer. Family history of melanoma.
* Other cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma.
* Impaired immune system.
* PUVA treatment, which is used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis.
This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.
Biopsy of the suspected tissue confirms the presence of Melanoma. If the tumor is bigger than 1 mm in thickness, lymph nodes may be examined for possible presence of melanoma cells in the nodes. A whole body scan also helps in finding out if the cancer has spread.
Treatment of Melanoma-
The choice of treatment depends upon the stage of melanoma. Melanoma progresses from the primary stage to fourth stage. In the fourth stage, the cancer has spread to different body parts. During the initial stages, surgery to remove the cancerous growth is the first choice. Treatment with Interferon is also used for melanoma that has spread to lymph nodes. For the fourth stage, you may have to discuss the treatment options with your oncologist. It is mostly incurable at this stage.
High Risk Groups-
* Exposure to UV radiation is the biggest risk factor. Most of this exposure takes place during the childhood. Those who are involved with jobs that keep them outdoor for a long time are also at risk.
* Presence of atypical moles (dysplastic nevi).
* White race. People who have fair skin that burns rather than tans, red hair, or blue eyes are at a higher risk.
* Previous melanoma or other skin cancer. Family history of melanoma.
* Other cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma.
* Impaired immune system.
* PUVA treatment, which is used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis.
This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Skin Cancer - Melanoma - 1
Malignant melanoma is an accelerated, metastatic type of skin cancer that originates in the cells of the epidermis. In this disorder, pigment-producing cells called melanocytes become cancerous, grow, and multiply at a devastating rate. Although melanoma is the least common type of skin cancer, it is the most serious form of skin cancer. Melanoma may be cured, if caught and treated early, but it is rarely curable in its later stages.
Melanoma skin cancer cells are more likely than non-melanoma skin cancer cells to spread or metastasize. This means that they break away from the original tumor, travel through the blood or lymphatic vessels, and then grow within other parts of the body.
The most well documented risk factor for malignant melanoma is exposure to UV radiation.
Melanoma affects equal number of men and women and affects any part of the body. It usually appears after age 50, though it can develop at any age. People with light skin are far more likely to develop melanoma than dark-skinned people.
Melanoma Causes -
Melanoma is commonly caused due to:
* Exposure to UV rays of the sun. Greater the intensity of exposure, greater the chances of developing Melanoma.
* Family history of melanoma.
* Presence of atypical moles.
* Suppressed immunity due to an organ transplant, leukemia, or lymphoma.
This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.
Melanoma skin cancer cells are more likely than non-melanoma skin cancer cells to spread or metastasize. This means that they break away from the original tumor, travel through the blood or lymphatic vessels, and then grow within other parts of the body.
The most well documented risk factor for malignant melanoma is exposure to UV radiation.
Melanoma affects equal number of men and women and affects any part of the body. It usually appears after age 50, though it can develop at any age. People with light skin are far more likely to develop melanoma than dark-skinned people.
Melanoma Causes -
Melanoma is commonly caused due to:
* Exposure to UV rays of the sun. Greater the intensity of exposure, greater the chances of developing Melanoma.
* Family history of melanoma.
* Presence of atypical moles.
* Suppressed immunity due to an organ transplant, leukemia, or lymphoma.
This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.
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