Melanoma

The most dangerous kind of skin cancer, melanoma, develops in the cells (melanocytes) that make melanin, the pigment responsible for giving your skin its color. It can also develop in internal organs including the intestines and, very rarely, in the eyes.

All melanomas have an unknown specific etiology, however being exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunshine, tanning beds, or tanning lamps increases your risk of getting one. Your chance of developing melanoma can be lowered by limiting your exposure to UV light.

Melanoma risk appears to be rising among those under 40, particularly women. The early detection and treatment of skin cancer can be made possible by being aware of the warning signals of the disease. If melanoma is found early on, it can be successfully treated.

Causes:

Melanoma is brought on by modifications in melanocytes, which create the pigment melanin in the skin. The pigment melanin is what gives skin and hair color. It might appear as a mole or another area that has changed in appearance on healthy skin.

Risk factors:

Factors that may increase your risk of melanoma include:

• Fair skin: 
  • Less melanin (the skin's pigment) means less defense against harmful UV rays.
• A history of sunburn: 
  • Your risk of developing melanoma as an adult can be increased by one or more bad, blistering sunburns.
• Excessive ultraviolet (UV) light exposure: 
  • Skin cancer risk, including melanoma, can be raised by UV radiation exposure from the sun and tanning beds.
• Living closer to the equator or at a higher elevation: 
  • Residents of lower latitudes are more exposed to UV radiation than those who live closer to the equator, where the sun's rays are more direct.
• A family history of melanoma: 
  • You have a higher risk of developing melanoma if a close relative, such as a parent, child, or sibling, has the disease.
• Weakened immune system:
  • The risk of developing skin cancer is higher in people with compromised immune systems. This includes persons who have HIV/AIDS and organ transplant recipients.

Symptoms

You can get melanomas anywhere on your body. The most common places for them to appear are on your back, legs, arms, and face, which have all been exposed to the sun. The palms of your hands, the bottoms of your feet, and the undersides of your fingernails are examples of places where melanomas can develop that don't get a lot of sun exposure. People with darker skin are more likely to have these concealed melanomas.

The first melanoma signs and symptoms often are:

• A modification to an existing mole.
• The appearance of a new, unusual-looking growth with colour on your skin.

Diagnosis

Cancer can occasionally be identified just by glancing at your skin, but melanoma can only be correctly identified with a biopsy. A pathologist examines the material after removing all or part of the worrisome mole or growth in this operation. The following biopsy techniques are used to identify melanoma:

• Punch biopsy:
  • Your doctor uses a device with a circular blade to perform a punch biopsy. A worrisome mole's surrounding skin is cut with the blade, removing a circular piece of skin.
• Excisional biopsy:
  • This surgery involves removing the entire mole or tumor, along with a thin margin of skin that seems to be normal.
• Incisional biopsy:
  • Only the most atypical portion of a mole or growth is removed during an incisional biopsy for laboratory investigation.

Treatments and Drugs

The size and stage of your cancer, your general health, and your personal preferences will all influence the best course of action for you.

Treating early-stage melanomas:

• Treatment for early-stage melanomas usually includes surgery to remove the melanoma.
• If melanoma has spread beyond the skin, treatment options may include:
  • If the melanoma has spread to adjacent lymph nodes, your surgeon may perform surgery to remove those nodes. Before or after surgery, additional treatments could also be suggested.
  • Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves using medications to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be administered intravenously, orally, or both ways, depending on how well it works for your body.
  • X-rays and other powerful energy beams are used in radiation therapy to kill cancer cells. Following lymph node removal surgery, radiation therapy could be advised.
  • Biotherapy: Biotherapy strengthens your immune system to support your body's fight against cancer. These treatments use chemicals manufactured by the body or synthetically created substances with similar properties.

Prevention:

• Reduce exposure to the sun.
• An early warning.
• Screening for high-risk people.

 References

• georgetownskin.com › Services & Treatments › Medical Dermatology
• livescience.com › Health
• Mandal, G. (August 2013). A Textbook of Adult Health Nursing (2nd ed.). Dilllibazar kathmandu: Makalu publication house. Retrieved August 2013
• mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/melanoma/basics/definition/con-20026009
• ru.scribd.com/document/201649908/Male-Reproductive-Diseases
• wyff4.com/what-is-melanoma/33398648
• skincancer.org › Skin Cancer Information
• swfhealthandwellness.com › Charlotte Edition