Melanoma
• Definition
· Melanoma or Malignant Melanoma is a cancer of the melanin pigment-producing cells of the skin.
• Overview
· Melanoma affects more than 50,000 people every year in the United States and about 8,000 people die from melanoma every year.
· Melanoma is associated with a family history of Melanoma in 10% of cases.
· Melanoma is associated with sun exposure and light complexion.
• Signs of melanoma
Sign that are concerning for melanoma are a mole with:
Asymmetrical shape
Irregular borders
Light and dark areas with in the mole
Size with a diameter more than 6 mm
Changing appearance
Itch
• Complications
· Melanoma can spread locally and to distant sites
• Treatment
Surgical removal of a localized melanoma with good margins of normal tissue.
Interferon and interleukin 2
Traditional chemotherapy
References
Clin Med. 2007 Jun;7(3):283-90. [PMID: 17633952]
Melanoma. N Engl J Med. 2006 Jul 6;355(1):51-65. [PMID: 16822996]
Posted on September 1, 2009
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