The skin is a major organ and is the largest one in the human body. Over the course of time, it can suffer damage from various things. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that is one of the most serious forms. If left untreated, it can spread quickly. Although it has a low rate of instances, it has the highest rate of fatality, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Features
Melanoma gets its name from the root word melanin, which is a pigment that gives color to the skin. The cells that produce melanin get attacked and this is what causes cancer to develop. Although it is rare, melanoma can also affect the eyes and internal organs.
Symptoms
Abnormal looking moles on the body are an indicator of melanoma. The American Academy of Dermatology developed an A-B-C-D-E guide to recognize symptoms of melanoma. Moles that are asymmetrical, have an irregular border, show changes in color, have a large diameter and are evolving may be cancerous (see Resources for ABCDE guide).
Causes
All the chemical and biological processes in the body revolve around DNA. Oncogenes are healthy genes that turn cancerous when there are changes of DNA in the skin cells. This process is triggered by consistent exposure to UVA and UVB rays. These rays are produced naturally from the sun and artificially through tanning beds and lamps. UVA rays from tanning beds can cause melanoma because they damage healthy melanocytes in the skin cells.
Risk Factors
Melanoma skin cancer has a significant number of risk factors. If you have fair skin, you have less protection against UV radiation and your risk increases. This also includes people who get sunburn easily, have red or blond hair and have light-colored eyes. Other risk factors include excessive sun exposure, living at a high altitude, a family history of melanoma, having multiple moles and being exposed to carcinogens like creosote and coal tar.
Treatment
When the melanoma is small and only on the skin, it can be removed, along with some healthy tissue around, it to prevent it from spreading. Chemotherapy drugs can be given in pill form or intravenously to destroy cancerous cells and relieve symptoms. When the cancer has spread to other areas, radiation therapy can be used to ease the symptoms.
Potential
Clinical trials are being done on various new treatments. Chemoimmunotherapy is a treatment that combines immune boosting biological therapy drugs like interferon and interleukin-2 with chemotherapy. Gene therapy is a process where faulty genes that allow cancer cells to grow are replaced. Targeted therapy is a process where blood vessels that draw nutrients from your body that cause cancer cell growth are stopped. Vaccine treatment uses injected altered cancer cells to give the immune system a boost.
Prevention/Solution
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several preventive measures you can take to reduce your chances of getting melanoma skin cancer. Examples of these are staying out of the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., wearing sunscreen all year, avoiding tanning beds and wearing protective clothing.
