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Melanoma

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D E S C R I P T I O N

Melanoma is a disease of the skin in which cancerous cells derive from the cells that give skin its color, or melanin. It is the most serious form of skin cancer - potentially deadly - and can quickly spread to other parts of the body. It sometimes starts as a new, small, molelike growth or develops from an existing mole. Unlike other skin cancer, melanoma may also occur in areas of the skin that haven't been exposed to the sun.


R I S K

Exposure to the sun is the major risk factor in all types of skin cancer, but it takes only intermittent exposure to the sun, such as weekend sun-bathing, to increase the risk of developing melanoma. Risk also increases if you have fair skin that freckles or burns, you've had blistering sunburns or there's a family history of the disease. Previous cases of skin cancer also raise the risk. In addition, people who have many moles and/or irregularly shaped moles are at higher risk.


S Y M P T O M S

Warning signs include a change in the size, shape or color of a mole; scaliness of a mole; oozing or bleeding from a mole; appearance of an itchy, hard, lumpy, swollen or tender mole; and spread of pigment from the border of a mole into surrounding skin.


T R E A T M E N T

Caught early, melanoma is about 100 percent curable. Once a tumor is found, doctors "stage" the disease to see if it's spread to other parts of the body - this affects treatment decisions. Surgery to remove the tumor is the standard and only potentially curative treatment. How extensive the surgery depends on the size of the cancerous tumor, with smaller tumors needing removal of less surrounding skin.

Radiation therapy is sometimes used, as is chemotherapy, though to a lesser extent because of less satisfactory results.

New methods also show promise, particularly biological treatments in which the body's own natural immune system is given a boost from materials made by the body itself or in a lab. These materials help fight the cancer and shrink tumors. Vaccines, gene therapy and new chemotherapy drugs also show promise.


P R E V E N T I O N

  • Limit time spent in the sun (especially children), since most of the sun damage that causes melanoma occurs during childhood.
  • Use sunscreen of at least SPF 15 to protect against UV, UVA and UVB rays.
  • Wear wide-brimmed hats and tightly woven fabrics.
  • Wear sunglasses that block out 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays.
  • Avoid tanning booths.

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