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carousel-slider domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/locaqain/public_html/drharshatreya/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121 Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that colors the skin. While it’s less common than other skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma is more dangerous due to its ability to spread to other parts of the body quickly if not detected early.
Causes and Risk Factors of Melanoma
Melanoma primarily arises from damage to the DNA in skin cells, often caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. This damage can lead to mutations in melanocytes, causing them to grow uncontrollably.
For those living with melanoma, regular follow-up care is essential to monitor for recurrence or new cancers. Many patients benefit from support groups and counseling services, which can help address the emotional and psychological effects of diagnosis and treatment.
Melanoma often appears as a new mole or a change in an existing mole. The ABCDE rule is commonly used to recognize potential melanomas:
Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn’t match the other.
Border: The edges are irregular, notched, or blurred.
Color: Uneven shades of black, brown, tan, or even white, red, or blue.
Diameter: Greater than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser), although melanomas can be smaller.
Evolving: Changes in size, shape, color, or symptoms like itching or bleeding.
Other signs include sores that don’t heal, new moles with unusual appearance, or existing moles that become painful, itchy, or swollen.
Diagnosing melanoma typically involves:
Skin Examination: Dermatologists examine the skin for suspicious moles or growths.
Dermatoscopy: A handheld device magnifies the skin, allowing closer examination of moles.
Biopsy: If melanoma is suspected, a biopsy is performed. Types of biopsies include:
Excisional Biopsy: The entire mole is removed for examination.
Punch Biopsy: A small, round piece of skin is removed.
Incisional Biopsy: Only part of a large mole or tumor is removed.
Lymph Node Biopsy: If melanoma has spread, nearby lymph nodes may be biopsied to check for metastasis.
Imaging Tests: Advanced melanomas may require CT scans, MRIs, or PET scans to determine the spread.
Treatment depends on the melanoma’s stage, location, and overall health of the patient:
Surgery: The primary treatment for early-stage melanoma. The melanoma and a margin of surrounding tissue are removed. Advanced melanomas may require additional lymph node removal.
Immunotherapy: Drugs such as pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and ipilimumab stimulate the immune system to target melanoma cells. Immunotherapy is commonly used for metastatic melanoma.
Targeted Therapy: For melanomas with specific genetic mutations, such as BRAF mutations, drugs like vemurafenib, dabrafenib, and trametinib are used to block the growth of cancer cells.
Chemotherapy: While less common, chemotherapy may be used when immunotherapy and targeted therapy aren’t effective. Drugs like dacarbazine are sometimes used.
Radiation Therapy: Radiation is generally used to relieve symptoms or treat areas where the cancer has spread, especially for brain or bone metastases.
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