An Overview of the Melanoma Treatment and Therapy

The treatment of the melanoma skin cancer is specific for any single patient. It depends on his general conditions, the stage, depth and extension of the melanoma, and what’s more important if there is metastasis or not. Before any kind of treatment the doctor needs to do a very accurate diagnosis of  the patient. There Read More »

The 5 Melanoma Stages

Melanoma is one of the less common skin cancers but is responsible for the 80% of the skin cancer related deaths. One patient in five develops the advanced and aggressive form of the disease. The metastatic or advanced stage of melanoma, characterized by the spread of cancer to other organs such as lymph nodes or Read More »

The 6 Types of Human Skin, Classified by the Manner of Response to Solar Radiation

The human skin behaves as a barrier, preventing the passage of foreign substances and the release of other useful substances. It also acts as a place of exchange and communication with the outside world, sending to the organism useful messages from the external environment. Human skin is not just the lining of our body, but Read More »

The Four Major Types of Melanoma Tumor

There are around 160,000 new cases of malignant melanoma diagnosed each year wordlwide and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are about 48,000 deaths per year related to the melanoma skin cancer. In case of detection of a dark lesion, with different shades of color and jagged edges, with a diameter greater than Read More »

How to Recognize Early Symptoms of Melanoma Cancer using the ABCDE Rule

In most patients, the melanoma skin cancer develop on a clinically normal skin. Since most people do not develop new melanocytic nevi in adulthood, if such an eventuality arise, the patient should immediately consult his dermatologist for clinical evaluation of the new nevus. In other patients melanomas originate from pre-existent nevi that change their shape Read More »

The Melanoma Skin Cancer: Description and Cause

Melanoma is a malignant skin cancer with a high predisposition for metastasis (the spread of malignant cells in all body tissues). It originates from the melanocytes, cells that are present in the skin and are responsible for the production of the dark pigment, melanin, and from which the tumor is named. It can occur in Read More »

The Side Effects Of Melanoma Treatment

September 30, 2011   admin   No comments

The doctors plan the melanoma treatment in order to minimize side effects. For example, to prevent large scars, they try to remove only the portion of tissue necessary to avoid a melanoma recurrence. In general, the resulting scars of a surgical removal of melanoma at an early stage, have a length between 2 and 5 cm and tend to disappear over time. The scar is more or less visible in relation to the location of the melanoma, the ability to heal of the patient and the possible appearance of keloids. When the cancer has spread, often large amounts of skin and surrounding tissue, including muscle tissue, are removed. Although skin grafting can reduce the size of a scar caused by the removal of a widespread melanoma, the signs will be fairly obvious.

The surgery for removing lymph nodes under the arm or groin may damage the lymphatic system and slow the flow of lymph in the arms or legs. The lymph may stagnate in a limb and cause swelling (lymphedema). The doctor or nurse can suggest exercises or other techniques to reduce swelling if it becomes a problem. After removal of the lymph nodes, infectious phenomena can occur more easily in the limbs, in which case patients will have to protect the leg or arm from cuts, scrapes, bruises, or burns that can cause infections. If this happens, however, the patient should inform his doctor immediately.

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Melanoma Skin Cancer Survivors: Jill’s Story

September 13, 2011   admin   No comments

Jill from Plymouth was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, in 2003. She went to her doctor when a mole on the back of her upper arm started weeping.

Whenever you notice skin changes your local GP surgery should be your first port of call. Most changes are not caused by cancer but do need to be checked out by a doctor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12HA8xLkoLo

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Some Malignant Melanoma Pictures

April 19, 2011   admin   3 Comments

Malignant melanomas vary in shape, color and size. They are usually pigmented, with a different tendency to invasion and metastasis. The cancer can spread rapidly within a few months after its identification and can be fatal. Survival rates at 5 years of early detected superficial lesions are close to 100%. In addition, healing from melanoma depends on its early diagnosis and treatment. Below follow some malignant melanoma pictures:

malignant-melanoma malignant-melanoma malignant-melanoma oral-malignant-melanoma

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Melanoma Skin Cancer – Web News #2

April 12, 2011   admin   1 Comment

melanoma-newsNews Titles:

1. Researchers Use Zebrafish To Identify New Gene Linked To Melanoma
2. Surge In Skin Cancer Among The Young In UK
3. Can Painkillers Prevent Melanoma?
4. FDA Approves BMS Skin Cancer Biologic Yervoy
5. Arthritis Drug Could Help Beat Melanoma
6. Richer White Women More Prone to Melanoma
7. Cancer Biologists And Biomedical Engineers Discover Possible Biomarker And Therapeutic Target For Melanoma
8. “Base Tanning” For Spring Break Not A Good Idea, Says University Of Minnesota Expert

1. Researchers Use Zebrafish To Identify New Gene Linked To Melanoma

Thanks to the zebrafish, there is new hope for people with melanoma skin cancer that is responsible for approximately 8,700 deaths each year in the United States.

In a study that was published in the March 24th issue of the journal Nature, and featured on the cover, researchers identified SETDB1 as a new gene that promotes the growth of melanoma and may play a role in up to 70 percent of malignant melanomas. SETDB1 accelerates melanoma formation in zebrafish and appears to be frequently overexpressed in human melanomas.

Full article: health.am

2. Surge In Skin Cancer Among The Young In UK

The latest statistics from the Cancer Research UK, released in April, show that there has been a dramatic rise in the number of young people diagnosed with malignant melanoma. Though UK as a whole has witnessed an explosion of malignant melanoma, what is cause for concern is that skin cancer has soared in Scotland since the 1970’s. The researchers found, rate of the preventable disease has tripled over the past three decades among young Scots aged between 15 to 34 years.

Full article: themedguru.com

3. Can Painkillers Prevent Melanoma?

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – New findings add to confusion over whether taking aspirin, ibuprofen or related painkillers reduces the risk of developing melanoma.

Full article: healthmagdaily.com

4. FDA Approves BMS Skin Cancer Biologic Yervoy

The FDA approved Bristol-Myers Squibb’s cancer biologic Yervoy (ipilimumab) for the treatment of late-stage melanoma, for which treatment options are few. One analyst projected that sales of the drug could top $1.7 billion by 2015.

Yervoy is a monoclonal antibody, delivered intraveneously, that is thought to fight melanoma by thwarting a molecule that baffles the body’s immune system, allowing it to detect and kill the cancer cells.

Full article: mmm-online.com

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Melanoma Skin Cancer Survivors: James’ Story

April 08, 2011   admin   2 Comments

James from Bury St Edmonds was diagnosed with malignant melanoma when he was 21. With friends and family concerned about a mole he had had all his life, he went to his doctor to check it out and the diagnosis was not what he was expecting.

You may have some moles or dark patches on your skin that are flat or slightly raised. Usually these remain harmless all your life. But moles or patches of skin that change in size, shape or color over weeks or months in adult life should be reported as soon as possible to a doctor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXsZKo4aSX4

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Malignant Melanoma: From a Normal Melanocyte Cell to a Metastatic Melanoma

March 22, 2011   admin   1 Comment

Studies have shown that melanoma skin cancer can spread to almost every area of the body, a variety of areas more than any other cancer. In this article we are going to show how melanocytes (the skin cells that produce melanin) can modify their normal behavior and become melanoma cells. These cells can spread through all the body when metastasis occurs.

human-skin

The human skin is made of three layers:

  1. Epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. The epidermis is made up of stratified squamous epithelium with an underlying basal lamina (separates epidermis from dermis). This is where the melanocytes are.
  2. Dermis, the layer of skin beneath the epidermis. It is made of connective tissue and  contains the lymphatic vessels and blood vessels.
  3. Hypodermis also called subcutaneous tissue, the layer below the dermis.  Its purpose is to attach the skin to the underlying bones and muscles as well as supplying it with blood vessels and nerves.

malignant-melanoma-metastases

The process where normal melanocyte cells transform themselves in melanoma cells and generate melanoma metastases, consists in a long series of steps:

The transforming event: This is a mutation of the melanocyte DNA that changes a normal melanocyte into a melanoma cell (tumor cell).

Grow in a progressive way (in situ): After the transforming event, the melanoma cells will replicate and grow in a progressive way. This happens in epidermis. The melanoma spreads in epidermis without passing through the basal lamina, creating a melanoma in situ.

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Melanoma Skin Cancer Survivors: Justine’s Story

March 11, 2011   admin   No comments

Justine from Liverpool was diagnosed with malignant melanoma at the age of 36. She started using sunbeds when she was 15 and used them to keep her tan up in between holidays, until she was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer.

The more you use a sunbed the greater your risk of skin cancer. Using a sunbed once a month or more, can increase your risk of skin cancer by more than half. So when the tan fades, the damage remains.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHB_sULaZ2c

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Melanoma Skin Cancer – Web News #1

March 07, 2011   admin   1 Comment

melanoma-newsNews Titles:

1. A New Laser Technique For Detecting Melanoma
2. Nanoparticles For Detecting Melanoma
3. Doctors Say Teens Should Be Banned From Tanning Salons
4. Night Shift Work Lowers Women’s Risk Of Melanoma

1. A New Laser Technique For Detecting Melanoma

Researchers from the Duke University have developed a new two-laser microscopy technique which is able to distinguish healthy cells from cancer cells. This technique has been found quite effective in diagnosing melanoma skin cancer. For the study, 42 skin samples were closely studied with the laser based tool and 11 melanoma cases were identified quite precisely by taking into consideration the eumelanin pigment present in melanoma cancers. The study is published in the Journal Science Translational Medicine.

Full article: http://topnews.us/content/235702-laser-technique-detect-melanoma

2. Nanoparticles For Detecting Melanoma

A nanoparticle that targets melanomas and highlights other cancerous tissue in the body is beeing developed by researchers. This method was developed by Ulrich Wiesner, professor of materials science at Cornell University in the USA. The nanoparticles used are tiny spheres surrounded by an organic dye molecule. This is coated with a nontoxic polymer that helps the nanoparticles remain in the body. “Through simple biochemistry, you can attach peptides to target tumors, drugs, and radioactive imaging labels,” says Professor Wiesner. This nanotherapeutic agent will provide a map that lights up cancer carrying lymph nodes making it easier for surgeons to locate and remove cancerous tumours.

Full article: http://www.elements-science.co.uk/2011/02/cancer-detecting-nanoparticles/

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Amelanotic Melanoma: Description and Pictures

February 27, 2011   admin   No comments

The term “amelanotic melanoma” is used clinically to indicate any type of melanoma skin cancer that lacks pigmentation. These skin tumors represent a large proportion of melanomas that can not be diagnosed easily because they don’t have defined characteristics.

In fact, the amelanotic melanoma can not be identified by the traditional pattern analysis. It therefore requires a screening strategy including special techniques and dermoscopic criteria for the characterization of several non-pigmented skin lesions.
The amelanotic melanoma can be confused with diabetic foot ulcer or with common warts, eczema and rhinophyma.

The predictive aspects of this type of melanoma skin cancer include the presence of a bluish-white veil, wound type depigmentation, several gray-blue points, depigmentation with irregular edges, and brown dots or globules irregularly distributed.
The face and feet are the anatomical sites where the diagnosis of this type of melanoma is the most underestimated.

Below follow some amelanotic melanoma pictures:

Amelanotic Melanoma Skin Cancer Amelanotic Melanoma Skin Cancer Amelanotic Melanoma Skin Cancer Amelanotic Melanoma Skin Cancer

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Melanoma Skin Cancer Survivors: Sara’s Story

February 21, 2011   admin   No comments

Sara from Northampton was diagnosed with malignant melanoma skin cancer, at the age of 32.

She regularly used sunbeds between the ages of 17 and 27, and would frequently get sunburn on holiday, staying out in the sun as long as possible.

In the video you can hear Sara’s story and learn why spotting melanoma skin cancer early is important.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu-uD-FuZpA

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