Symptoms and prevention of Melanoma

Melanoma is a skin cancer derived from pigment-producing cells (melanocytes).


CAUSE
Risk factor for melanoma are:

* Family history of suffering from melanoma
* Red or blond hair
* The existence of multiple atypical moles (birthmarks)
* There is a pre-cancerous actinic keratoses
* Frekels (brown spots) are very clear in your upper back
* Experience the blistering attack due to sunburn as much as 3 times or more before age 20 years.


SYMPTOMS
Melanoma can begin as a small growth of new skin and normal pigmented skin. Most often grows in sun-exposed skin, but almost half the cases grew out of a pigmented mole.

Melanoma is easy to spread to distant parts of the body (metastases), which will continue to grow and destroy tissue. The less the growth of melanoma into the skin, the greater the chance for cure. If the melanoma has grown deep into the skin, are more likely to spread through the lymphatic vessels and blood vessels and can cause death within a few months or years.

Melanoma disease course varies and appears to be influenced by the strength of the defense by the immune system. Some patients are in good health condition, can survive for years despite the melanoma has spread.

Warning signs will be the formation of melanoma:

1. Pigmented spots or moles (especially a black or dark blue) are getting bigger
2. Color changes in moles, pigmentation, especially red, white and blue in the skin around it
3. Changes to the skin over the pigmented spots, such as changes in consistency or shape
4. Signs of inflammation in the skin around the mole.


Diagnosis
To make sure diagnosis performed a biopsy (taking a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope).


TREATMENT
If it has not spread, the entire melanoma can be removed surgically. Recovery rate approaching 100%. But someone who had suffered from melanoma, has returned suffering from melanoma risk. Therefore he should perform regular skin examinations.

For melanoma that has spread chemotherapy, but the recovery rate is low and this situation is often fatal. Experimental treatment with interleukin-2 immunotherapy gave promising results.


PREVENTION
Protect your skin from the sun by:

* Use sunscreen every day (minimum SPF 15)
* Use a hat, glasses, long sleeved shirts, long pants or long skirts
* Do not be too long basking in the sun
* Avoid the sun at midday (at 10-14).