Melanoma
This skin cancer will often show up on people that are more on the fair skinned side then the those who are dark-skinned. These cancers appear on areas which are not involved with your skin. It can be found in places such as the mputh, genitalia area, intestines, and eyes. It is also not un-heard of in other body organs. The Risk People have a higher risks if they fit into any of the following categories: Blue eyed people Blond haired people Other family members have had it. Moles that change People that have freckles Those that have an immunosuppresive disorder Too much time in the sun Those that burn faster than they tan If you have darker skin or are black, that does mean that you are exempt from melanoma but have much lower risks. Symptomatology As mentioned, a mole that is changing a lot in color, shape or the size can be indicative. A mole that is oozing or bleeding Moles that are lumpy, hard, or itchy and also tender when touching them. Since these skin cancers are still productive with melanin, these skin tumors are usually black in color or deep brown. Sometimes there are new moles that will appear. Guys often develop this skin cancer on the shoulders, head, or the neck, whereas women will get places on the arms and legs. This cancer is the type that will spread quickly all over the body. The way that this happens is through blood or lymph system. Skin Exams Examining the skin is good preventive medicine. Learning about which skin problems are cancers, and which are not is importnat in telling whether or not a place on the skin means trouble. Diagnosing Melanoma If the dermatologist sees suspicous looking areas, they will do some of the following for a definite diagnosis: Biopsy of skin This takes off a piece of skin tissue for a microscopic exam. It is easily done without putting the person to sleep in a doctor's office. Other biopsy types They can do what is called a shave biopsy which is only the skin surface layers. A punch biopsy will go deeper into the skin using a special instrument that takes off a short piece of tissue. They give a local anesthetic for this procedure and then using the instrument, place it on the skin surface and cutting through all of the layers, get deeper samples. If they need a deeper portion still of skin, then the excisional or incisional biopsy will be done. They can also use a fine needle with aspiration where tissue fragments are taken from a tumor. Melanoma Stages Stage 0-This is only cells that are contained with the outer skin layer and does not go further. Stage 1-The cancer is found in the skins outer layers of skin. In this stage it has not spread to the lymph nodes. Stage 2-In this stage, the skin tumor found is about 1.5 up to 4 millimeters. It is still not involvinh lymph nodes. Stage 3-This means that the tumor is 4 millimeters and the cancer has invaded body tissue below the skin, as well as lymph nodes. Stage 4-The tumor is very invasive and into other body organs, and lymph nodes. Treatment They can give radiation treatments, and also topical chemotherapy which is used to kill cancer cells. This is chemo given by a cream that kills cancer cells. Systemic Chemotherapy is given if the cancer is involved within the body. Best Prevention of Skin Cancer Stay out of the sun, and if in the sun, wear a sunscreen with an excellent SPF-15 protection in it. This really pays off in the end.
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