Malignant+Melanoma

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Malignant Melanoma
Most dangerous form of skin cancer  Originates in the pigment-producing melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis  Melanomas often resemble moles  Caused by intense or occasional exposure to UV rays and abnormal growth of melanocytes Melanoma kills an estimated 8,790 people in the US annually The American Cancer Society estimates that at present, about 120,000 new cases of melanoma in the US are diagnosed in a year In 2010, about 68,130 of these were invasive melanomas, with about 38,870 in males and 29,260 in women. __The Ugly Duckling Method__:  __The ABCDEs of Melanoma:__  If any moles look suspicious go to the doctor. The doctor will perform a biopsy and then send the sample to the pathologist who will determine if the cancer is melanoma. If it is melanoma then a surgeon performs a sentinel lymph node biopsy to see if the cancer has spread and then the surgeon will remove the whole tumor. Then an oncologist will provide further treatments.  The melanoma is then treated with surgery, gene therapy, radiation therapy, laser therapy, chemical peeling, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, or clinical trial treatments __Superficial Spreading Melanoma__:  __Lentigo Maligna:__  __Acral lentiginous melanoma:__  __Nodular Melanoma:__ Reducing sun exposure:  Avoid using a tanning booth or a tanning bed  Be aware of your moles and look for any atypical moles  People with lighter skin, hair, and eye color are at an increased risk  Know your family history: http://www.melanoma.com/ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/melanoma/DS00439 http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma
 * The Facts about Melanoma:**
 * -once it grows to a certain thickness, it metastasizes throughout the body
 * -after melanoma has spread to the internal organs there is little that can be done and death follows shortly after
 * -majority of melanomas are black or brown
 * - can also be skin-colored, pink, red, purple, blue or white
 * Statistics:**
 * Warning Signs/Diagnosis:**
 * - the melanoma is an "ugly duckling" compared to the surrounding moles
 * - the patients "normal" moles should resemble each other while the "ugly duckling" may look or feel different
 * - A – Asymmetry- the mole is not symmetrical
 * - B – Border- the border of the mole are uneven, scalloped, or notched
 * - C – Color- the mole has multiple colors
 * - D – Diameter- it is larger than ¼ of an inch
 * - E – Evolving- changes in size, shape, elevation or any new symptoms point to danger
 * Types of Melanoma:**
 * -most common type, accounting for 70 percent of all cases
 * -most often seen in young people
 * -this melanoma grows along the top layer of the skin for a fairly long time before penetrating more deeply
 * -can be found anywhere on body, most likely occur on the trunk in men, the legs in women, and the upper back in both
 * -similar to superficial spreading melanoma
 * -remains close to the skin surface for quite a while
 * -type of in situ melanoma
 * -most often seen in elderly people and most common form of melanoma in Hawaii
 * -can be found on the face, ears, arms and upper trunk
 * -spreads superficially before penetrating more deeply
 * -usually appears as a black or brown discoloration under the nails, on the soles of the feet, and on the palm of the hand
 * -advances more quickly than Lentigo and Supeficial Sreading Melanoma
 * -most common form of melanoma in African-Americans and Asians
 * -least common form in Caucasians
 * -usually invasive when it is first diagnosed
 * -most commonly found on the trunk, legs, arms, as well as the scalp in men
 * -most aggressive of the melanomas
 * -accounts for 10 to 15 percent of all cases
 * Prevention:**
 * -Seek shade
 * -Cover up with clothing
 * -Apply 1 ounce of sunscreen before going outside
 * -Seek your physician every year for a skin exam
 * -About one in every 10 patients diagnosed with the disease has a family member with a history of melanoma
 * -Each person with a first-degree relative diagnosed with melanoma has a 50 percent greater chance of developing the disease
 * Resources:**