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Description of Melanoma
Melanoma is a well-known type of skin cancer. In 2006, melanoma
will be the fourth most commonly diagnosed form of cancer
for men and the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer for
women in the United States. About half of all cases of melanoma
are diagnosed before age 57.
In melanoma, cancer develops in the cells
that produce color (pigment) in the skin. This color is called
melanin. The
cells that produce melanin are called melanocytes. Cancerous
changes
in melanocytes may be seen as changes in the size, shape,
or color of a mole. Other visible signs include oozing
or bleeding
from a mole; itching, swelling, or painful sensitivity in
a mole; or the appearance of a new mole.
Other names for
melanoma include malignant melanoma, cutaneous melanoma,
malignancy of melanocytes, and malignancy of pigment-producing
cells. Melanoma is the least common form of skin cancer,
but is also the most aggressive, spreading quickly to other
body
areas. The good news is that melanoma is curable if detected
early and treated before it has a chance to spread.
Melanoma
most often appears in fair-skinned people, but dark skin
is not a protection against it. Risk factors
associated
with developing melanoma include having blond or red
hair, light-colored skin, and/or blue eyes; having many freckles,
a large number of moles, and/or a dark-colored type of
mole called a dysplastic nevus; inability to tan; unprotected
exposure to the sun; and a family history of melanoma.
There are few drugs that have shown benefit in treating
melanoma. In fact, the FDA has not approved a drug
for melanoma in
over 15 years. Research into this disease is essential
to finding
new drugs to help patients with melanoma.
Frequently Asked Questions About Melanoma
What is the skin? The
skin is the largest organ of the body. It covers the internal
organs and protects them from injury,
serves as a barrier between microbes, such as bacteria,
and internal organs, and prevents the loss of too much water
and other fluids. The skin regulates body temperature and
helps rid the body of excess water and salts. Certain cells
in the skin communicate with the brain and allow for temperature,
touch, and pain sensations.
What is melanoma? Melanoma is
a cancer that begins in the
melanocytes – the
cells that produce the skin coloring or pigment known as
melanin. Melanin helps protect the deeper layers of the
skin from the
harmful effects of the sun.
Melanoma is almost always curable when
it is detected in its early stages. Although melanoma accounts
for only
a small percentage
of skin cancer, it is far more dangerous than other skin
cancers, and it causes the majority of skin cancer deaths.
How many people are affected by melanoma? Estimates
are that about 62,190 new melanomas will be diagnosed in
the United
States during 2006.
Who survives melanoma? Melanoma, even though
it can spread to other body parts quickly, is also highly
curable if
detected early and treated properly. The 5-year relative
survival rate
for patients with melanoma is 92%. For localized melanoma,
the 5-year survival rate is 98%; survival rates for
regional and distant stage diseases are 64% and 16%
respectively.
About 83% of melanomas are diagnosed at a localized
stage.
How many people will die from melanoma? Estimates are
that in 2006 – 7,910 people will die from melanoma.
What are the risk factors for melanoma? Risk
factors for melanoma include:
- unprotected and/or excessive exposure to ultraviolet
(UV) radiation
- fair complexion
- occupational exposures to coal tar, pitch,
creosote, arsenic compounds, or radium
- family history
- multiple or atypical moles
- severe sunburns as a child
What are the signs and symptoms
of Melanoma? Skin cancer
can be found early, and both doctors and patients
play important
roles in finding skin cancer. If you have any of
the following symptoms, tell your doctor.
- any change on the skin, especially in the size
or color of a mole or other darkly pigmented growth
or
spot, or
a new growth
- scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or change in the appearance
of a bump or nodule
- the spread of pigmentation beyond its border
such as dark coloring that spreads past the edge
of a
mole or
mark
- a change in sensation, itchiness, tenderness,
or pain
Can Melanoma be prevented? The best ways to lower
the risk of melanoma is to avoid intense sunlight
for long
periods
of time and to practice sun safety. You can continue
to exercise
and enjoy the outdoors while practicing sun safety
at the same time.
- Avoid the sun between 10
a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Seek shade: Look for shade, especially in the
middle of the day when the sun's rays are strongest.
Practice
the shadow
rule and teach it to children. If your shadow is
shorter than
you, the sun’s rays are at their strongest.
- Slip on a shirt: Cover up with protective clothing
to guard as much skin as possible when you are
out in the
sun. Choose
comfortable clothes made of tightly woven fabrics
that you cannot see through when held up to a
light.
- Slop on sunscreen: Use sunscreen with a sun
protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Apply
a generous
amount (about a palmful)
and reapply after swimming, toweling dry, or
perspiring. Use sunscreen even on hazy or overcast
days.
- Slap on a hat: Cover your head with
a wide-brimmed hat, shading your face, ears, and neck.
If you choose a baseball
cap, remember
to protect your ears and neck with sunscreen.
- Wear sunglasses with 99% to 100% UV absorption to provide
optimal protection for the eyes
and the surrounding
skin.
- Follow these practices to protect
your skin even on cloudy or overcast days. UV
rays travel
through
clouds.
EDUCATIONAL LINKS
American Society of Clinical Oncology http://www.asco.org
FDA, Food and Drug Administration http://www.fda.gov/
CEDR, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research http://www.fda.gov/cder/
NCI melanoma website http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/melanoma
MedlinePlus melanoma http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/melanoma.html
American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp
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