Melanoma know how.

Melanoma causes 7700 deaths in the US each year, although survival rates are improving, the incidence is still increasing. Melanoma is associated with abnormal moles (dysplastic naevi), a high density of moles on a person, long-term high degree of sun exposure, Celtic ancestry (white skin), and a family history of melanoma. Genetic studies have shown that melanoma can be associated with pancreatic, gastrointestinal, brain and breast cancer, and patients previously treated for Hodgkin's disease. Melanomas are usually suspected with changes in a moles' size, shape, border, color, and associated features such as itching or pain. Physicians incorporate dermoscopy and/or confocal microscopy to assist diagnosis. However, misdiagnosis of melanomas still occurs and results in many lawsuits. The method of treatment is excision. Sometimes deep, wide excisions are required in order to clear the area of the risk of developing recurrent melanoma. If the melanoma is large or spread is suspected, a sample of local lymph nodes will be taken at the time of or after surgery. Follow up visits to the doctor after excision are recommended for full skin checks, lymph node monitoring and enquiry about general well being. Melanomas commonly spread to the lymph nodes and lungs. Core to the treatment of melanoma, is its prevention. Prevent melanoma by wearing a hat, sunscreen and long-sleeved shirt and pants when in the sun. Survival is increased by early detection and treatment.

Source: summary of medical news story as reported by Medscape

Related Disease Topics:

• Melanoma
• Pancreatic cancer
• Gastrointestinal cancer
• Brain cancer
• Breast cancer
• Metastatic melanoma (type of Melanoma)

Related Symptom Topics:

• Change in mole shape
• Change in mole size
• Change in mole border
• Change in mole color
• Itching mole
• Painful mole

Article Source Details

About: Melanoma know how.

Date: 23 May 2005

Source: Medscape

Author: Barbara Burrall

URL: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/505094

Related Medical Topics

This summary article refers to the following medical categories:

• Cancer
• Skin cancer
• Melanoma
• Dysplastic naevi
• Sun exposure
• Sunburn
• Diagnosis and melanoma
• Diagnosis and dysplastic naevi
• Diagnosis and skin cancer
• Misdiagnosis and melanoma
• Misdiagnosis and skin cancer
• Medical malpractice and melanoma
• Medical malpractice and skin cancer
• Medical malpractice and dysplastic naevi
• Medical error and melanoma
• Medical error and skin cancer
• Medical error and dysplastic naevi
• Risk and melanoma
• Risk and skin cancer
• Risk and sun exposure
• Risk and sunburn
• Risk and white skin
• Risk and prevention
• Surgery and melanoma
• Surgery and skin cancer
• Surgery and dysplastic naevi
• Surgery and survival

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