 |
 |
 |
|
Melanoma, accounting for less than 5% of skin cancers, is one of the most dangerous of all cancers and is the most rapidly increasing form of cancer in the United States. Melanoma arises from pigment cells in the skin and usually takes the form of a very dark, irregularly-colored spot or nodule. The risk of melanoma is increased with occasional, intense exposure, such as blistering sunburns, especially in childhood, rather than long-term sun exposure.
Unlike other cancers, melanoma may remain inactive for years, may even regress temporarily, and then suddenly metastasize to lymph nodes or vital organs. The tendency of melanoma to metastasize is fairly predictable and is related to the thickness rather than the size of the tumor.
Incidence; Causes & Development; Risk Factors
Melanoma is more common in younger individuals. In the United States, the risk of melanoma is about 15 cases for every 100,000 people, and at the time of writing (2002) there will be 40,000 new cases with about 8,000 deaths expected in the next year. Incidence is doubling every 10 years, and this is believed to be mainly due to the depletion of the ozone layer.
Melanoma may occur by itself, or arise from a pre-melanoma mole or skin growth.
Australia has the world's highest incidence of melanoma, because of its location near the equator and population composed largely of people of Celtic extraction. The fact that melanoma occurs mainly on sites not overly sun-exposed indicates that other factors are involved.
In brief, the risk factors are:- Sun exposure and a history of sunburns
- Caucasian skin
- Latitude
Signs & Symptoms
Common locations for melanoma include the back and scalp in men and legs in women, areas not usually exposed extensively to the sun.
Major signs of malignant melanoma:- A mole with three or more shades of brown and black
- An existing mole getting bigger or developing an irregular outline
- A new mole growing quickly (months) in an adult.
Minor signs of malignant melanoma:- A mole that is larger than the blunt end of a pencil
- A mole becoming inflamed or developing a reddish edge
- A mole that develops bleeding, oozing or crusting
- A mole starting to feel different (e.g. itching or painful).
Diagnosis & Tests
The systemic evaluation for melanoma metastases involves:Contrary to circulating myths, hairy moles do NOT differentiate benign from malignant; incisional biopsy into melanoma does NOT spread the tumor.
Prognosis
Five year survival related to tumor depth:- Survival 99%: Depth < 0.85mm
- Survival 80%: Depth 0.85 to 1.69mm
- Survival 70%: Depth 1.70 to 3.64mm
- Survival 40%: Depth > 3.65mm
Survival rates are better in women.
|
|
 |
|
 |
Signs, symptoms & indicators of Melanoma:
Conditions that suggest Melanoma:
Risk factors for Melanoma:
Melanoma suggests the following may be present:
Recommendations and treatments for Melanoma: | | | | | Drug |  Hydrazine Sulfate | See the link between Cancer (General) and Hydrazine Sulfate. |
|
Mineral |
 Selenium| | Serum selenium levels were inversely related to the degree of disease severity in 200 cases of melanoma studied. As selenium has established cancer prevention effects, its use to reduce the risk of melanoma is advisable. |
|
| | | | |
Preventive measures against Melanoma:
KEY | | Weak or unproven link |  | | Strong or generally accepted link |  | | Proven definite or direct link |  | | Strongly counter-indicative | | | May do some good | | | Likely to help |
GLOSSARY
Benign
Literally: innocent; not malignant. Often used to refer to cells that are not cancerous; they tend to grow slowly and don't spread (metastasize) like cancer tumors do.
Biopsy
Removal of a sample of tissue from a living being for diagnosis. A pathologist later uses a microscope to look for certain features, such as cancer cells, in the sample. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy involves inserting a thin needle to remove a small amount of tissue, sometimes using CT or ultrasound to guide the needle. A core biopsy involves obtaining a sample of tissue with a thick needle or by inserting a thin, lighted tube (laparoscope) into a small incision in the abdomen. Another biopsy method is to remove tissue during an operation.
Cancer
Refers to the various types of malignant neoplasms that contain cells growing out of control and invading adjacent tissues, which may metastasize to distant tissues.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A set of measurements that are generally determined by specially designed machines that analyze the different components of blood in less than a minute. The values generally included are:- White blood cell count (WBC). The number of white blood cells in a volume of blood. Normal range varies slightly between laboratories but is generally between 4,300 and 10,800 cells per cubic millimeter. This can also be referred to as the leukocyte count and can be expressed in international units as 4.3 - 10.8 x 10^9 cells per liter.
- Automated white cell differential. A machine-generated percentage of the different types of white blood cells, usually split into granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.
- Red cell count (RBC). The number of red blood cells in a volume of blood. Normal range varies slightly between laboratories but is generally between 4.2 - 5.9 million cells per cubic millimeter. This can also be referred to as the erythrocyte count and can be expressed in international units as 4.2 - 5.9 x 10^12 cells per liter.
- Hemoglobin (Hb). The amount of hemoglobin in a volume of blood. Normal range for hemoglobin is different between the sexes and is approximately 13 - 18 gm/dl for men and 12 - 16 for women (international units 8.1 - 11.2 millimoles/liter for men, 7.4 - 9.9 for women).
- Hematocrit (Hct). The ratio of the volume of red cells to the volume of whole blood. Normal range for hematocrit is different between the sexes and is approximately 45 - 52% for men and 37 - 48% for women.
- Mean cell volume (MCV). The average volume of a red cell. This is a calculated value derived from the hematocrit and red cell count. Normal range is 86 - 98 femtoliters.
- Mean cell hemoglobin (MCH). The average amount of hemoglobin in the average red cell. This is a calculated value derived from the measurement of hemoglobin and the red cell count. Normal range is 27 - 32 picograms.
- Mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). The average concentration of hemoglobin in a given volume of red cells. This is a calculated volume derived from the hemoglobin measurement and the hematocrit. Normal range is 32 - 36%.
- Red cell distribution width (RDW). A measurement of the variability of red cell size. Higher numbers indicate greater variation in size. Normal range is 11 - 15.
- Platelet count. The number of platelets in a volume blood. Platelets play a vital role in blood clotting. Normal range varies slightly between laboratories but is in the range of 150,000 - 400,000 per cubic millimeter (150 - 400 x 10^9 per liter).
Endometriosis
A condition whereby endometrial tissue builds up in parts of the uterus where it does not belong or areas outside of the uterus, forming 'ectopic implants'. Unlike the normal tissue lining the uterus, ectopic tissue has no place to shed in response to a decline in estrogen and progesterone. This results in debris and blood accumulating at the site of the implant leading to inflammation, scarring and adhesions that ultimately cause symptoms and complications. Symptoms typically occur in a cyclic fashion with menstrual periods, the most common being pelvic pain and cramping before and during periods; pain during intercourse; inability to conceive; fatigue; painful urination during periods; gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, and nausea.
Lymph Nodes (Axillary Nodes, Inguinal Nodes, Lymph Gland, Lymph Glands, Lymph Node, Lymphatic)
Small, bean-shaped nodes at various points throughout the body that function to filter the lymph fluid and attempt to destroy the microorganisms and abnormal cells which collect there. The most common locations are the neck (both sides and front), armpit (axillary) and groin (inguinal), but also under the jaw and behind the ears. Swollen or painful lymph nodes generally result from localized or systemic infection, abscess formation, or malignancy. Other causes of enlarged lymph nodes are extremely rare. Physical examination for lymph nodes includes pressing on them to check for size, texture, warmth, tenderness and mobility. Most lymph nodes can not be felt until they become swollen, and then will only be tender when pressed or massaged. A lymph node that is painful even without touching indicates greater swelling. Lymph nodes can usually be distinguished from other growths because they generally feel small, smooth, round or oval-shaped and somewhat mobile when attempts are made to push them sideways. Because less fat covers the lymph nodes in children, they are easier to feel, even when they are not busy filtering germs or making antibodies. Childrens' nodes enlarge faster, get bigger in response to an infection and stay swollen longer than an adult's. Also known (incorrectly) as lymph glands.
Malignant (Cancerous)
Dangerous. Mainly used to describe a cancerous growth -- when used this way, it means the growth is cancerous and predisposed to spreading.
Melanoma
A life-threatening type of skin cancer that occurs in the cells (melanocytes) that produce melanin, the pigment found in skin, hair, and the iris of the eyes.
Metastasize (Metastases, Metastasized, Metastasizes, Metastasizing, Metastatic)
Usually in reference to cancer: to spread, especially destructively.
Millimeter (Millimeters, mm)
A metric unit of length equaling one thousandth of a meter, or one tenth of a centimeter. There are 25.4 millimeters in one inch.
Mole (Moles, Nevi, Nevus)
Known more accurately as a "nevus", a mole is a lesion of the skin that may be present from birth, but which most often appears later in life. By three years of age, 40% of children will have at least one nevus. Some varieties are hereditary and most have color. A common nevus in light-skinned people is typically small, round, tan or brown, with a smooth border, and exactly the same throughout. Other types may be very large, or have irregular borders. There are dozens of different types, with many shapes, colors and sizes. While most are benign, malignant changes can occur to turn the benign nevus into a melanoma.
Proximal
Nearer to a point of reference such as an origin, a point of attachment, or the midline of the body.
Selenium
An essential element involved primarily in enzymes that are antioxidants. Three selenium- containing enzymes are antioxidant peroxidases and a fourth selenium-containing enzyme is involved in thyroid hormone production. The prostate contains a selenium-containing protein and semen contains relatively large amounts of selenium. Clinical studies show that selenium is important in lowering the risk of several types of cancers. In combination with Vitamin E, selenium aids the production of antibodies and helps maintain a healthy heart. It also aids in the function of the pancreas, provides elasticity to tissues and helps cells defend themselves against damage from oxidation.
Serum
The cell-free fluid of the bloodstream. It appears in a test tube after the blood clots and is often used in expressions relating to the levels of certain compounds in the blood stream.
X-rays (X-ray)
High-energy radiation used to take pictures of areas inside the body.
Last updated: Aug 02, 2008
|
 |
|
|
