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Melanoma
Medical Questions » Melanoma
| Name: Melanoma |
| Also known as: |
| The most serious form of skin cancer, which starts in the skin cells that create pigment. In Europeans (Caucasians), these cells are relatively inactive, giving a pale color to the skin. In Asians (Mongols) they are moderately active, and in Africans (Negroes) they are very active, giving a darker skin color. |
Causes of Melanoma
The actual cause is unknown, but exposure to sunlight, particularly in childhood and teen years, dramatically increases the risk. Ultraviolet radiation, most of which is filtered out of sunlight by the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere, is the part of the spectrum that causes the damage. Fair-skinned people have a higher incidence than those with dark complexions. It is rare in children, slightly more common in women than men, and most common between 30 and 50 years of age and on the legs and back. One in every 150 people in Australia will develop a melanoma at some time. |
Symptoms of Melanoma
A skin spot that may be black, brown, pink or blue, and the colors may be found individually or mixed. Usually have an irregularly edge, enlarge steadily, have an uneven and bumpy surface, and the pigment can be seen advancing into the surrounding skin. In advanced cases the spot will bleed, scab and ulcerate. Melanomas can occur under the nail (where they may be mistaken for a bruise), in the mouth, under the eyelids, on the retina inside the eye, and in the anus, but the sun-exposed parts of the skin are the most commonly affected. |
Tests for Melanoma
Diagnosed by biopsy or excision of the suspected mole. |
Treatment for Melanoma
The melanoma and a large area of skin around and under it, must be cut out. The lymph nodes around the melanoma may also need to be removed. If there is evidence that it has spread to other areas, the patient will also be
treated with irradiation and injected medications to control its further growth.
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Complications of Melanoma of its treatment
Tendency to grow deep into the body and migrate to other organs, particularly the liver, lungs and lymph nodes in the armpit and groin. The cancer may appear to be cured but can flare up decades later. |
Likely Outcome of Melanoma
In the very early stages there is a 97% cure rate. As the cancer enlarges, the cure rate drops dramatically. One third of all patients who develop a melanoma will eventually die from it. |
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