Melanoma Prevention Detection and Treatment

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Melanoma is the most dangerous cancer that affects the skin. Melanoma develops in the melanin producing-cells. Melanin is a pigment that is responsible for the color of the skin. However, some people have more melanin than other people. Melanoma predominantly develops in the skin, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the eyes, and the internal organs of the body, such as the intestines. This tumor can grow in different parts of the body, in females, it mostly affects the leg, while it predominantly affects the back of males. The exact cause of melanoma isn’t known yet, although some factors have identified to be responsible for the growth of this tumor. Ultraviolet radiation is one of the most important factors. The exposure of the body to high-intensity radiations, from the sun, or tanning machines, increases the risk of having melanoma. In addition, the amount of melanin an individual has a connection to melanoma. As an illustration, it has been discovered that those with a low amount of melanin are more predisposed to developing melanoma. On the other hand, those with high amounts of melanin have a low chance of having melanoma. Also, melanoma can also develop from moles. According to statistics, about 25% of all melanoma cases are as a result of moles. Genetics has also been identified as one of the factors that could predispose an individual to get affected by melanoma. There are some skin genetic disorders that increase the risk of having this disease. Examples of this disease are Xeroderma pigmentosum. This disease can be prevented by making use of sunscreens, which would protect the skin from excessive radiations from the sun.  Melanoma is usually treated by surgery. However, the treatment might become complicated, especially when the disease spreads to other parts of the body.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Melanoma?

Melanoma can affect any part of the body. However, the most popular sites where it occurs include the back, arms, legs. It also affects the eyes and the internal organs such as the intestines. However, this doesn’t happen too often. It also occurs in parts of the body that doesn’t get exposed to the sun. Examples of these places are the soles of the feet and the palm of the hands. Below are some of the signs and symptoms of melanoma.

1. Irregular borders: The tumor usually has irregular borders. The melanoma also has edges and corners that are equally irregular.
2. Colour: The melanoma might present with different colors. It doesn’t necessarily have to be black. They could present in different colors.
3. Diameter: The size of a melanoma is usually more than 6 millimeters. This can be equated to the size of an average pencil eraser.
4. Symmetry: Melanoma is usually asymmetry.
5. Melanoma evolves with time.

However, the signs and symptoms do not apply to the serious forms of melanoma. The dangerous melanomas have special features that are different than the usual melanomas. The dangerous forms of melanoma usually have the following signs and symptoms

1. They are usually raised above the surface of the skin.
2. They are firm in consistency, especially when touched.
3. They keep growing and increasing in size.

In addition, there are cases where melanoma spreads from its place of origin to other locations of the body. These metastatic forms of melanoma are capable of causing paraneoplastic symptoms. Some of the paraneoplastic symptoms include the loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and tiredness. Melanoma can metastasize to other parts of the body like the brain, liver, bones and lymph nodes. However, this happens rarely.

What Are the Causes of Melanoma?

Melanoma occurs as a result of an alteration in the DNA. This can be as a result of damages in the DNA, due to exposure to radiations from the sun. Genetics is also another factor in the development of melanoma. In addition, individuals with a weakened immune system are more predisposed to having melanoma. Below are some of the factors that also contribute to the development of melanoma.

1. Radiation: Radiations from the sun increases the risk of melanoma. This is particularly more prevalent in people with a low amount of melanin. Also, it has been discovered that tanning beds are carcinogenic. This submission was made by the International Agency for Research On Cancer. According to statistics, people who make use of this kind of devices have up to 80% chance of having melanoma.
2. Genetics: There are mutations that occur in people’s DNA, which increases the risk, and predisposes people to develop melanoma. These type of alterations can be detected through genetic testing.

     How Can Melanoma Be Prevented?

1. Avoiding excessive exposure to sun radiations: This is one of the most important things that could be done to prevent yourself from developing melanoma. The ozone layer, that usually prevents us from excessive Ultra-violet radiations has been depleted and still getting depleted due to the activities of man, such as the burning of fuels, release of industrial wastes into the air and so on. Therefore, it’s always best to avoid going out when the solar radiation is high.
2. Sunscreen: Applying sunscreen on the body is an effective way of protecting your skin against the effect of UV-radiations. You should endeavor to apply the sunscreen at least twice in a day.

      How Can Melanoma Be Detected?

1. Skin examinations: Physicians conduct physical examinations, which usually involves the entire body for any abnormality. The inspection is mostly head to toe.
2. You could conduct an examination of your skin. It’s important to know the freckles, moles that are on your skin normally. This helps you notice if there are any changes on your skin.
3. Physicians make use of some procedures in detecting and diagnosing the disease. Some of these methods include punch biopsy, excisional biopsy, and incisional biopsy.

   How Is Melanoma Treated?

The treatment of melanoma depends on a lot of factors. Some of these factors include the stage of cancer, the size of the tumor, and the general health status of the patient. Some of the treatment procedures used by doctors include Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and biological therapy. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the better the outcome.

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References

Anon, (2018). [online] Available at: https://www.melanoma.org/understand-melanoma/what-is-melanoma [Accessed 28 Feb. 2018].

Arenberger, P. (2010). Current approaches in melanoma screening. Melanoma Research, 20, p.e17.

Bauer, J. (2010). Molecular epidemiology of melanoma. Melanoma Research, 20, p.e8.

Varum, S. and Sommer, L. (2013). Generating melanocytes from human pluripotent stem cells. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research, 26(5), pp.608-610.