Melanoma is a skin cancer derived from pigment-producing cells (melanocytes).
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 on the upper back
* Experience the blistering attack from the sun burns 3 times or more before the age of 20.
SYMPTOMS
Melanoma can begin as a small growth of new skin and normal pigmented skin. The most commonly grown in sun-exposed skin, but almost half the cases grew out of a pigmented mole.
Melanoma 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 melanomanya has spread.
Warning signs will be the formation of melanoma:
A. Pigmented spots or moles (especially black or dark blue) are getting bigger
2. Color changes in moles, pigmentation, especially red, white and blue in the skin around
3. Changes in the pigmented spots on the skin, such as changes in consistency or form
4. Signs of inflammation of the skin around the mole.
Diagnosis
To do a biopsy diagnosis memastkan (sampling tissue for examination under a microscope).
TREATMENT
If it has not spread, the entire melanoma can be removed surgically. The recovery approaching 100%. But someone who had suffered from melanoma, has returned with melanoma risk. Therefore, he should perform regular skin examinations.
For melanoma that has spread chemotherapy, but the recovery rate is low and is often fatal condition. Experimental treatment with interleukin-2 immunotherapy gave promising results.
Protect your skin from the sun by:
* Use sunscreen every day (at least SPF 15)
* Use a hat, glasses, long sleeve shirts, long pants or long skirts
* Do not be too long basking in the sun
* Avoid the sun at midday (at 10-14).
