What you need to know about Melanoma. Let me tell you a short story of a friend of mine.
I had a friend, he had a mole come up on his stomach, he didn’t think anything about it, so he let it go. The mole didn’t get bigger but grew within, spreading through his body. Finally, overtaken him and killing him. Yeah, I know, you say why didn’t he go to the doctor. Well, just a mole, it will not bother me, or that’s what he thought. Finally, it spread through his body, eventually to his brain, where it got the best of him and killed him.
Melanoma a skin cancer that is very serious but it’s not the most common type of skin cancer. What the biggest problem with it is that it often spreads.
Now after I understood just how serious this disease of skin cancer is I started to be a little more concerned. It was something that we need to have awareness of.
What is Melanoma
What different definitions
Dictionaries say melanoma is different types of skin tumors characterized by the malignant growth of melanocytes.
Some dictionaries say, it is a tumor of melanin-forming cells, typically a malignant tumor associated with skin cancer:
Doctors say it’s a form of skin cancer that begins in the cells (melanocytes) that control the pigment in your skin.
The way I see it is that melanoma is caused by ultraviolet light from the sun and even tanning beds. It can make you more susceptible to getting melanoma.
We know whatever kind of disease it is very serious and deadly. Now that we know what it is, what else should we know about it? Watch this short video on how to recognize melanoma…
What are the Symptoms (What to Look for)
Not all melanomas start by moles, it could be any unusual skin growth. Could be redness or swelling around the spot.
Might even be sores that do not heal. Bleeding or running moles that are tender and itch with pain.
Through studying, I’ve found that some of the characteristics of melanoma use the A, B, C, D, E system that I’ve displayed below.
Asymmetry-an odd shaped mole, that looks different from others, as one side looks different than the other
Borders-the outside edge of the mole is jagged or ruff, not smooth
Color-odd looking shades and colors, different looking than other moles
Diameter-a mole that is abnormally larger looking than other moles
Evolving-a changeable mole or that changes in shape
Types of Melanoma
Acral lentiginous melanoma – dark-skinned people are the ones that most commonly get this type of skin cancer. It appears on the hands and feet or under the nails. Not related to sun exposure.
Amelanotic melanoma – this type of cancer cells does not make melanin so the color is different pale looking and harder to detect.
Lentigo maligna melanoma – a malignant melanoma that is very slow growing. Lentigo maligna melanoma has come from lentigo malign (lentiginous melanoma) on sun-damaged skin. Non-invasive but melanoma in situ that consists of malignant cells.
Nodular melanoma – second most common and most aggressive form of melanoma. This cancer grows downward in dept more than in width which makes it harder to detect. Usually shows up where there have not been any signs.
Superficial spreading melanoma – the most common type of melanoma. It is said that 70{0580942254a8404b9cbb1b1bb95a6f06e3c05404a4a3e100977df26e356e3e53} of cases diagnosed is Superficial spreading melanoma. It grows outward slowly for a while containing the cells before breaking out of its borders and spreading deeper.
What are the Causes
Some causes and what will make you make susceptible to melanoma are-
- Ultraviolet radiation from the sun or other things that put it out
- Light colored eyes or hair make a difference, more commonly Red or Blonde hair
- Genetically through handed down genes
- Having a light-colored skin, that does not tan, but sunburns
- Having certain skin diseases that might cause melanoma, one that is called pigmentosum
- even the genes that you have may change
The best thing is not to get too much sunlight or sunburn.
Preventions
See you’re, doctor, to have your skin checked
Avoid to much sun at peak times
Avoid sunburns too much sun is bad
Use sunscreen to keep harmful rays under control
Avoid UV tanning beds
Get plenty of vitamin D
What are some Treatments
Surgery-where they would cut out the cancerous spot, even the surrounding edges.
Chemotherapy-is different types of anti-cancer drugs used together or individually, to slow down or stop cancer cells usually used when cancer has spread through the body.
Targeted Therapy-is another way to treat melanoma it is done by drugs also, by targeting pacific cancer and administering the drugs, without hurting the normal cells.
Immunotherapy-the use of using the immune system to fight the cancer cells.
Clinical Trials-are also used to treat cancer, at any time they could be several of this going on. Many say this is the best treatment.
Radiation Therapy-if surgery doesn’t work and the cancer is spreading or cancer has come back. The most commonly used radiation is called external beam radiation therapy.
Reason for Post
Really no different from other posts here in livegreaterhealth.com it’s on a need to know basis. You need to know and we want to tell of this deadly cancer. May not be known very well to many people but melanoma is dangerous and should be much aware of.
If you are on a need to no basis then you are on the right website.
Livegreaterhealth is the place to go for your health needs giving you the most up to date information we can feel free to check us out.
Conclusion
Here we are again at the end of another health and disease. Livegreaterhealth wants you to know that we are here for you and want to keep you informed on all health topics. From the most common to the least common if you need to know you can find it here. What we would like is for you to tell us what you want to know about by leaving us a comment below. We want to hear from you and will reply back to you as soon as we can.
To learn to build a blog like this Click Here.
A very thorough and knowledge-based post. In the past, I held the position of Cancer Program Manager and worked with statistics regarding all types of cancer. My sister also had a melanoma removed from her forehead. Very scary indeed. Thanks for this post, Fred.
Thanks, Sue for the comment sounds like you held a high position being the manager of such a good program. Your sister was very fortunate that they found it in time. I’m so happy for her I wish more people would be aware of this kind of cancer.
Hi Fred,
Many people take things for granted, even though it is health related. You are doing an excellent task of making people aware of some of the health conditions that can be fatal if not treated early.
Most recently, I found out a friend of mine had 2nd stage fat cell cancer, liposarcoma in the abdomen. Earlier, he dismissed it as belly fat as a tumour grew in size. He wouldn’t have sought treatment if not for the continuous pain.
Thanks for this article. I shall be more mindful.
Sharon
Thank you, Sharon, for the comment. That’s the way I feel about it. Too many people taking it for granted this is serious stuff for me because it’s has happened around me. This is the reason I put these posts out for people to see.
Great information glad you brought this up. Most of us don’t know of this kind of cancer and needs to be talked about more. I am going to be aware of all the moles or places that come up on my body thank you for bringing this out in the open.
Thanks for the comment, Mom, very encouraging comment and that’s what this website is all about. There is a lot of information on this site for all your needs. If there is anything I can do for you just let me know and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Thanks for the great information that has been presented. Melanoma is something that should not be overlooked. I know most people in my family, when presented with the notion that is may be melanoma and they should go get it looked at, at first push the appointment off. Eventually they get a doctor to take a look and they we’re glad they did. Thanks for bringing up this timely post.
Thank, Stephen for the comment. That is what this article is about. Bringing awareness of this terrible disease people often look over things that can harm their lives and maybe take it. We just can’t do enough to bring the importance of health out to people. Putting it off is like holding a loaded gun to yourself.