...Melanoma is usually, but not always, a cancer of the skin. It begins in melanocytes, the cells that produce the pigment melanin that colors the skin, hair, and eyes, as well as forms moles. Since most of these pigment cells are found in the skin, melanoma of the skin is the most common type of melanoma. Skin cancers can be divided into two types: melanoma and non-melanoma. Non-melanoma skin cancers are usually referred to as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These skin cancers are most often treated with surgery since they do not normally spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. When Melanoma was first discovered people thought it was a joke. They didn’t pay any attention to what can cause melanoma skin cancer, or what to look for on their bodies to see if they should get checked by a doctor. No one believed in melanoma until they got it, or someone they knew had it. That’s when the all got their self-checked. They were all on alert. They never spent too much time in the sun, and If they did they had an umbrella. A prospective study by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital observed an association between risk of second primary cancer and history of non-melanoma skin cancer in white men and women. The researchers found that people with a history of non-melanoma skin cancer had a modestly increased risk of getting cancer in the future, specifically breast and lung cancer in women and melanoma in both men...
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...Melanoma is a type of skin cancer and its incidence has been increasing worldwide (Ortiz, Goodwin, & Freeman, 2005). Even though melanoma is a highly treatable cancer in early stages (Culp, Robb, Bayakly, & Vena, 2015), the lack of awareness and screening of melanoma poses a serious challenge to public health (Harvey, Patel, Sandhu, Wallington, & Hinds, 2014). Although most diseases with an SES gradient show a high SES/low-risk relation, melanoma is believed to be one of the few diseases with a reverse SES gradient (i.e., low SES/low-risk; see Adler, 1994). This is partially correct. The SES gradient for melanoma is complicated because it is different between melanoma incidence and the severity (including the stage at diagnosis and mortality...
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...Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that can start with a black mole. In Stage IV melanoma the cancer cells have spread to the other organs and the lymph nodes away from where the tumor started. Stage IV is hard to cure and it’s about a 15% chance of survival for five years. In the earlier stages melanoma is treatable, but once it’s at Stage IV it is harder to treat (Godman). Factors that affect your prognosis is your performance status on how your took care of yourself. The healthier the lifestyle the better the body will respond to treatment. One treatment option is to have the tumor removed surgically and the lymph nodes if it has cancer cells (Stages). Another treatment is immunotherapy where a doctor uses medicine to help strengthen a patient’s immune system. The immunotherapy helps the immune system fight off cancer cells better (Immunotherapy). There is targeted therapy that can help shrink the tumor, but only temporary. Lastly there is radiation therapy and chemotherapy that help kill off cancer cells (Melanoma)....
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...Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Melanoma develops when melanocytes do not respond to the normal control mechanisms of cellular growth. This condition often occurs in melanocytes of a preexisting mole where the abnormal growth invades nearby structures or spreads to other organs in the body. When this happens, the growths invade and compromise functions of those structures or organs. Explained simply; the cancerous growths develop when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells triggers mutations that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors. Melanoma is mainly caused by intense, occasional UV exposure. This happens because UV rays damage the DNA in skin cells which can later affect certain genes that control...
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...other distant organs. Now lets get to the stages of Melanoma and Non-melanoma and what exactly they mean. FYI, the difference between Melanoma and Non-melanoma is that Melanoma is more dangerous as it is the fastest spreading cancer out there. It can reach all major organs and kill you within one year of its diagnosis. Its rare but accounts...
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...Is Ipilimumab the best solution for the treatment of malignant melanoma? Chloe Walton Malignant melanoma although rare is a form of cancer that without treatment progresses at an extremely fast rate. The development of drugs to try to halt the rapid rate at which malignant melanoma can grow and infect another organ of the body is an on going project by specialists. Dr Alison developed Ipilimumab in 1999 and it was found in the clinical trials that it does, in most cases, exactly what medical professionals have been looking for. However drugs such as ipilimumab come with risks associated with them. This poses the question of whether the benefits outweigh the risks and cost of the drug. Skin and how malignant melanoma develops Skin is the largest organ in our body, responsible for creating a barrier between the outside and our internal organs. The skin is made up of three layers. The first layer is the epidermis, which is made up of mainly keratinocytes; they make micro-layers, which continually grow outwards to compensate for old layers dying and flaking off. Within the epidermis Langerhans cells are contained which alert the immune system to virus’ and bacterium. The next layer is the dermis, which gives the skin its strength due to the elastin and collagen fibres. Also present in the dermis are; blood vessels which allows the skins temperature to be maintained, and nerves which pick up feelings of heat, pain etc. and relay to the brain. The final layer is the...
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...spot being there before. I know that too much time in the sun in not very good for your skin. I’m a physical education teacher so I am out in the sun a lot, and I admit that I did not always remember to apply sunscreen.” Case Study There is a dark area on Mr. Gergen’s right ear approximately 0.4 cm by 0.4 cm round in size. The color of the surrounding skin is normal. Mr. Gergen says that he noticed the spot about four months earlier but did not think much of it. “I figured it was a mole. Since it did not hurt, I really didn’t give it much thought.” 1. You are the nurse working with the dermatologist. Make a list of questions you could ask regarding the area of concern to help determine if the site on Mr. Gergen’s ear could be melanoma. * Describe your daily hygiene practices? * What skin products are you currently using? * Do you do anything to protect yourself from the sun? * Are you aware of any situation or stressor that changes your skin condition? * Do you think that stress plays a role in your skin condition? * Has your skin condition changed your relationship with others? * Are there any treatment options that you would be opposed to using? 2. Explain the ABCDE criteria for assessing a skin lesion. * A - Assessing for asymmetry * B - Border irregularity may be fuzzy * C - Color change and variation, can be multiple colors * D - Diameter of 6mm or more * E - Evolving in appearance ...
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...DESCRIPTION: Protein MelanA (Melanoma Antigen), also known as MART-1 (Melanocytic Antigen Recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes) is a common biomarker used to identify malignant melanoma (MM) in patients, it falls under the MHC (major histocompatability complex) I class. MART-1 is encoded by the MLANA gene in humans and is present normally on the surface of benign nevi (beauty marks), as well as on melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells of your skin that become abnormal and grow out of control if malignant melanoma has developed. Approximately 76,000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed annually in the Unites States, which accounts for about 2% of the total skin cancer diagnosis in United States annually; however 75% of skin cancer related deaths are the result of MM which exhibits how devastating this form of cancer is. With early detection of melanoma being correlated highly to improved prognosis of patients, it is necessary to create a point of care device that can measure the presence of MART-1 antigen in peripheral blood as a screening technique during annual examinations and upon identification of suspicious skin lesions Protein melan-A is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MLANA gene . A fragment of the protein, usually consisting of the nine amino acids 27 to 35, is bound byMHC class I complexes which present it to T cells of the immune system. These complexes can be found on the surface of melanoma cells. Decameric peptides (26-35) are...
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...SOAR Cancers Material Skin Cancers Text There are three types of skin cancers: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common of the three types. Cells just below the surface of the skin become cancerous, causing a tumor to develop that often becomes an ulcer. The cell damage is usually the result of long-term exposure to strong sunlight, but it can be years before skin cancer develops. The ulcer grows slowly as it destroys the tissue at its edges. Unlike many malignant or life threatening growths, it does not spread to other parts of the body until a long time after it forms. A small, flesh-colored lump appears on the skin when basal cell carcinoma is present. The face is a common site, especially next to the eye or nose. In about six weeks, the lump becomes an ulcer with a hard border and a moist center that might bleed. Scabs might repeatedly form over the ulcer but never heal. Basal cell carcinoma rarely metastasizes but it does cause local tissue destruction and disfigurement if neglected. Untreated, it will grow relentlessly and destroy nearby body parts such as an eye or ear. Death rarely occurs from this type of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma can be prevented by using a sun block lotion and by wearing protective clothing such as a wide brimmed hat when exposed to the sun. When this type of cancer is diagnosed by a physician, it is removed using any of the following procedures: conventional surgery...
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...3.3 million people. With treatment and preventative measures, we can reduce this statistic. I. Introduction A. What is skin cancer? 1. Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells from an accumulation of sun exposure over time B. Info on skin cancer 1. Who does skin cancer affect? a. Skin cancer affects everyone. However, Caucasians are more likely to develop skin cancer than others. C. Today I will inform you about skin cancer, treatment, and preventative measures. II. Body A. Types of skin cancer 1. Basal Cell a. most common form of skin cancer b. may metastasize, but typically stays in area of occurrence 2. Squamous Cell a. second most common form of skin cancer b. can metastasize to other areas of the skin 3. Melanoma a. most fatal form of skin cancer b. can metastasize to other areas of the skin and even internal organs B. Treatments 1. Biopsy a. How do you take a biopsy? b. What does a biopsy tell you? 2. ED&C a. What is an ED&C? b When is it used? 3. Mohs surgery a. What is Mohs? 4. SRT a. What is SRT? b. When is this used or preferred over Mohs? C. Preventative Measures 1. Self exams at home a. How to check b What to check for c. When to make an appointment 2. Yearly annual at the dermatologist a. Why it’s important 3. Sun protective measures a. wide brim hats b. sunscreen c. avoid long sun exposure d. avoid tanning beds III....
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...Jason’s Case Study Abstract Jason, a twenty six year old male, is seen in the urgent care clinic with a laceration to his arm. He cut his arm on roof sheeting while at work. While assessing the laceration on Jason’s arm, the nurse notices that he has a sunburn, freckles and moles on his skin. While Jason is still in the urgent care, the patient’s wife calls and asked if the medical staff would assess a mole on her husband. The nurse also educated Jason regarding sunburns, changes in freckles, moles, and lesions. His complexion, hair and eye color puts Jason at a higher risk for cancer and complications of being in the sun. The nurse also reminded Jason to make an appointment to have his family doctor check the laceration on his arm to make sure no infection or complications have developed. Jason’s Case Study After the nurse introduces herself to Jason, she gets his vital signs, height and weight. The nurse or the doctor per facility protocol should cleanse the wound to remove any dirt or debris from the laceration site. The nurse measures the laceration in length and width. The nurse checks the laceration for foreign bodies or debris in his arm. The doctor may order an x-ray of his arm to rule out any foreign bodies that may be in Jason’s arm. Saline gauze should be placed over the laceration site until the doctor comes into the examination room to see the patient. The nurse asks Jason if he has had a tetanus shot in the past five years. Jason should...
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...Treatment to skin cancer Stage 0 melanomas have not become further than the top layer of the skin (the epidermis). They are generally treated by surgery (wide extraction) to expel the melanoma and a little edge of typical skin around it. The expelled test is then sent to a lab to be taken a gander at with a magnifying lens. On the off chance that malignancy cells are seen at the edges of the specimen, a rehash extraction of the zone might be finished. A few specialists may consider the utilization of imiquimod cream (Zyclara) or radiation treatment rather than surgery, even though not all specialists concur with this. Satge1 melanoma is dealt with by wide extraction (surgery to evacuate the melanoma and in addition an edge of typical skin around...
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...Description: Most skin growths are not cancerous, but all growths should all be closely watched so that you are aware of changes that could be signs of cancer developing. How Do I Know If My Skin Growths Are Cancer? How Do I Tell the Difference Between Harmless and Harmful Skin Growths? Inset: Moles can darken harmlessly during puberty and pregnancy. Inset: Keloids are excessive scar tissue growths over healed wounds. Captions: Layers of skin A normal wart Seborrheic Keratosis Skin tags Cherry Angioma Tea Tree Oil A normal mole Melanoma Lentigines Dermatofibroma ABCDE Changes Cutaneous horn Plantar Warts Actinic Keratoses Your skin consists of three layers that are designed to protect the rest of your body from harmful external conditions....
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...and women in skin cancer that is also known as Melanoma. This is one of the most common forms of cancer in people ranging between the ages of 25-29. It is also considered as the second most common to affect adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15-29. Since 1980 there has been study’s completed that show a 50 percent increase in Melanoma in women between the ages of 15-39. It also shows that in woman between the ages 30-34, it follows closely behind breast cancer. In this report I would like to show you the cause, risk, treatment, detection, how it affects the body, and how you can protect yourself from getting Melanoma. Melanoma is a serious form of cancer that starts in the pigments of the skin,that produce skin cells called melanocytes. The cells become abnormal, become aggressive, and they grow uncontrollably. They eventually invade the surrounding tissues. It can develop in a mole that you may have. Before you are officially diagnosed with Melanoma you must go to the doctor and have half or the entire tumor removed so it may be tested. This test will determine the stage and the level of cancer that you may have. Stage 0 is abnormal melanocytes that can be found in the epidermis. This may become cancerous and spread into your normal tissue. This cancer can grow into 4 different stages and may get more aggressive as time progress. There are several ways that you can prevent Melanoma from happening to you the first step starts with...
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...Genetic Mutation and Melanoma Malignant melanoma is a potentially serious type of skin cancer due to uncontrolled growth of pigment cells, called melanocytes. A number of genes play a role in melanoma, including inherited genes. Genes produce proteins that perform specific tasks and act as messengers for the cell. It is essential that each gene has the correct instructions or “code” for making its protein so that the protein can perform the proper function for the cell. Many cancers begin when one or more genes in a cell are mutated, creating an abnormal protein. An increased risk of melanoma occurs when specific gene mutations are passed within a family from generation to generation. Inherited melanoma is sometimes called familial melanoma. A person may be born with a genetic mutation in all their cells (germline mutation). Every cell usually has two copies of each gene: one inherited from the mother, and one inherited from the father. Hereditary melanoma follows an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, in which a mutation needs to happen in only one copy of the gene. This means that a parent with a gene mutation may pass on a copy of the normal gene or a copy of the gene with a mutation. Therefore, a child who has a parent with a mutation has a 50% chance of inheriting that mutation. If a person has a first-degree relative with melanoma, his or her risk of developing melanoma is two to three times greater than the average risk. Mutations in the following...
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