Definition:
Melanomas are tumors of melanocytes that are malignant and found basically on the skin but can also
appear elsewhere in the body. While it is rarer compared to other skin cancers, it however causes the
majority of deaths related to cancer; more frequent among Caucasian males, the WHO reports that over
48,000 deaths from melanoma occur globally every year.
Diagnosis:
Effective diagnosis means detecting suspicious looking moles that have distinctive and often times
changing colors or shapes. After visual examination, there should be a
dermatoscopic exam and possibly a biopsy. If it has been found to be malignant, immediate incision is
recommended.
Treatment:
Treating melanomas means choosing surgery as the optimal choice especially for melanoma that is
localized. A biopsy is important to determine the stage of a lymph node which would then dictate what
kind of surgery would be performed. For cases where there has been some metastasis, radiation and
chemotherapy may be used.
Symptoms and Signs:
Like most cancers which are asymptomatic, the most crucial aspect is detecting it early. Suspicious
looking growths or moles on the skin should be checked immediately especially if changes in size or color
occur.
Causes:
The causes of melanoma depend on two factors; one is intrinsic factors which could point to a family
history of cancers and two is excessive sun exposure. The latter has been found to be the most
contributory causes to melanomas as UV radiation damages the cells DNA.
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