Melanoma Explained
What is a Melanoma? 什么是黑色素瘤？
A melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It grows from special cells in the skin called melanocytes. A melanoma is usually brown or blackish in colour and looks like a freckle, mole or spot. They can begin in moles, but most begin in normal skin.
Who gets Melanoma?
About 1 in 60 people will get melanoma. It is seen most often in people aged 30-50 years, but it can occur in younger people. People at increased risk are those with:
· Several dark moles
· Freckles
· Fair white skin
· Skin that reacts to sunlight(burns easily and does not tan)
Why do they occur?
We do not know why all of them begin, but they are much more likely to occur in people who have a lot of exposure to the sun. Queenslanders have one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world. In spite of this, they do not only occur in areas exposed to the sun – they occur all over the body.
How do I know if I have a melanoma?
Only a few moles go on to become melanomas. Any changes that occur in a mole should raise suspicion. Changes may include:
· Any change in the colour of the mole
· An increase in size, or spread to surrounding skin
· Thickening of the mole
· Bleeding
· Itching
In fact, any change in a mole may be a warning, and should be discussed with your doctor.
What can be done?
Once suspicion is raised about a mole, it should be removed by your doctor. It will then be sent away to be looked at under a microscope, to check if it is a melanoma. Further treatment depends on the result of this test.
Can it be cured?
If melanomas are removed early, they can be completely cured. Over 95% of patients are cured with early removal.
Early detection of a melanoma, basal-cell carcinoma and
squamous-cell carcinoma decreases morbidity and mortality, and therefore result
in better prognosis of malignant skin tumours. The typical application of
dermoscopy is early detection of melanoma.
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Dermoscopy is also use to diagnose other types of skin tumours such as basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, cylindromas, dermatofibromas, angiomas, seborrheic keratosis etc. |
It is also used in the diagnosis of scabies and pubic louse. This is achieved by staining the skin with India ink. A dermatoscope can help identify the location of the mite in the burrow, facilitating scraping of the scabetic burrow. The dermatoscope can magnify the very small, difficult to see pubic louse, allowing fast and accurate diagnosis and hence, the treatment.
Suspicious moles can be excised by a doctor for biopsy and histology.
William Li
- Can we eat to starve cancer?
William Li presents a new way to think about treating cancer and other diseases: anti-angiogenesis, preventing the growth of blood vessels that feed a tumor. The crucial first (and best) step: Eating cancer-fighting foods that cut off the supply lines and beat cancer at its own game.
Prevention is the best cure!
To decrease your chances of getting a melanoma, you should protect yourself from the sun. These rules should be followed:
· Try to avoid direct sunlight when the sun is strongest (from 10 am to 3 pm standard time, i.e. from 11 am to 4 pm daylight-saving time).
· Always wear a broad-brimmed hat and T-shirt in the sun.
· Use a factor 15+ sunscreen on exposed skin and renew it regularly.
· Sunbaking might give you a good tan, but it is also going to increase your chances of getting melanoma, and so you should avoid it.
Please seek Medical attention as soon as possible if you are unsure of you or your family's health condition.
* The images of cancerous and benign moles are courtesy of the book 'Dermoscopy' and are for educational purposes only. Kindly consult your doctor if you are unsure or suffering from any medical problems.
TEDxUF - Eva Vertes - A New Approach to Cancer
EVA VERTES was first recognized for her research during high school,
when she conducted Alzheimer's research for which she received the top
award in medicine at the 2002 Intel International Science Fair. She has
since focused on cancer, trying to understand the built-in mechanisms
the body uses to prevent against cancer and how we might be able to use
these principles to guide the development of novel, effective cancer
treatments -- maybe even a cure. She received a degree in molecular
biology from Princeton University in 2007, then spent 2 years working
full-time in a cancer research lab at Weill Cornell Medical College, and
is currently pursuing her MD at the University of Florida. Eva Vertes
is perhaps best known for presenting at the 2005 TED conference when she
was only 19 years old.
Learn what is Cancer, Skin Cancer-Types, Causes & Prevention, Melanomas Explained & Detecting Skin Cancer with Dermoscopy.
Skin Problems - Treatment for Allergies, Dermatitis, Eczema & Urticaria/Hives
Dermatology Problems - Treatment of Acne, Dry Skin, Warts, Corns & Calluses on Feet
The information provided in this website is for knowledge purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice.
Should you encounter any medical problem that you are unsure of, always consult your doctor or health care provider for assistance and medical advice.