33t.org

Melanoma

The malignant melanoma is mortal of all skin cancers. It starts in the deepest layer of the skin and can quickly extend to the lymph nodes and the blood vessels. The melanoma is a tumour which forms in our melanocytes, the cells which produce the pigment of melanin that colors our skin, hair, and eyes. The majority of melanomas are black or brown, but from time to time they cease producing the pigment; then the melanomas can be pink, red, crimsons or even skin-colored. The melanoma is generally found at the men on the parts between the shoulders and the hips, or on the head and the neck. It has the capacity to extend to any part of the body. The most common place of occurring melanoma is in the lymph nodes.  The melanoma is generally caused by the excessive exposure to sunlight.

The first symptom of melanoma is the formation of lumps on the skin. These are very easily seen and felt under the skin, although they are usually not painful. They are often dark colored. Rarely melanoma can extend directly to any of the internal organ without affecting first in the lymph nodes or under the skin. When it extends to the organs, the melanoma generally spreads to the lungs, liver, brain, and it can extend anywhere. The melanoma can be present in the internal organs for several months or even years before you have all the symptoms, because cancer in these places cannot be seen or felts and it usually does not pose problems until the lesions are completely large.

The symptoms felt by people with melanoma that extend internally, change according to the organs. For example, the melanoma in the brain can cause headaches, tiredness, numbness, giddiness, or a seizure; the melanoma that has spread to the lungs or heart can cause the brevity of the breath and cough; and the melanoma which metastases with the liver or other abdominal bodies can cause tiredness or the abdominal pain.

The treatment of melanoma includes the surgery, chemotherapy, the radiation therapy and the biological therapy. Performing surgery to remove the adjacent tumour and healthy tissues is effective to destroy the cancer cells. The quantity of removing tissue depends on the growth of cancer cells. The advanced treatment of melanoma includes chemotherapy. This involves the use of drugs which is in the shape of capsule or the injections to kill the cancer cells. The biological and radiation therapies are last bastions of melanoma treatment.

The radiation therapy involves the use of x-rays to destroy the cancer cells which extends to other parts of the body. This form of melanoma treatment can last several sessions. Its side effects include redness, the dryness and the eruptions, which disappear after sometime. However, the changes of the color of skin and texture can occur after a few years.

Related Blogs

• Related Blogs on Melanoma
• sunlight and melanoma experience