Powered by Sharecare
[x]
Post to my social network or blog
View Cart

Melanoma

Melanoma is a malignant cancer that forms in melanin-producing cells found in skin and other sites. It occurs mostly in adults and often spreads.

Recently Answered Questions

Is melanoma more common in those with white or black skin?
1 Expert Answer
Most Recent Answer
by Dove (Sponsored)
Melanoma is less prevalent in black skin. However, melanoma in black skin has been more likely to occur in atypical locations, such as the palms and soles of feet. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing to safeguard your skin from the sun's harmful rays. Over fifty years ago, Dove discovered the importance of moisture, as well, in maintaining healthy hydrated beautiful skin. Dove believes ...
See More Answers »
What is melanoma?
1 Expert Answer
Most Recent Answer
by Dr. William D. Knopf
Melanocytes are found throughout the lower part of the epidermis. They make melanin, the pigment that gives skin its natural color. When skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes make more pigment, causing the skin to tan, or darken. The skin is the body's largest organ. It protects against heat, sunlight, injury, and infection. The skin has 2 main layers: the epidermis (upper or outer layer) and ...
See More Answers »
Where does melanoma occur?
1 Expert Answer
Most Recent Answer
by Dr. William D. Knopf
In men, melanoma is often found on the trunk (the area from the shoulders to the hips) or the head and neck. In women, melanoma often develops on the arms and legs. Melanoma usually occurs in adults, but it is sometimes found in children and adolescents. This answer from the National Cancer Institute has been reviewed and/or edited by Dr. William D. Knopf.
What are possible signs of melanoma cancer?
1 Expert Answer
Most Recent Answer
by Dr. William D. Knopf
These and other symptoms may be caused by melanoma. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur: A mole that: Changes in size, shape, or color Has an irregular edge or borders Is more than 1 color Is asymmetrical (if the mole is divided in half, the 2 halves are different in size or shape) Itches Oozes, bleeds, or is u...
See More Answers »
What factors affect my prognosis with melanoma?
1 Expert Answer
Most Recent Answer
by Dr. William D. Knopf
The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following: The stage of melanoma (whether cancer is found in the outer layer of skin only, or has spread to the lymph nodes, or to other places in the body Whether there was bleeding or ulceration at the primary site The location and size of the tumor The patient's general health Although many people are successfully tr...
See More Answers »
How is the spread of melanoma through the body diagnosed?
1 Expert Answer
Most Recent Answer
by Dr. William D. Knopf
The process used to find out whether melanoma has spread within the skin or to other parts of the body is called staging. The following tests and procedures may be used in the staging process: Lymph node mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy: Procedures in which a radioactive substance and/or blue dye is injected near the tumor. The substance or dye flows through lymph ducts to the sentinel no...
See More Answers »
What are the stages of melanoma?
1 Expert Answer
Most Recent Answer
by Dr. William D. Knopf
The following stages are used for melanoma: Stage 0 (Melanoma in Situ): In stage 0, abnormal melanocytes are found in the epidermis (Clark level I). These abnormal melanocytes may become cancer and spread into nearby normal tissue. Stage 0 is also called melanoma in situ. Stage I:In stage I, cancer has formed. Stage I is divided into stages IA and IB: Stage IA: In stage IA, the tumor is not m...
See More Answers »
What determines how deep melanoma is?
1 Expert Answer
Most Recent Answer
by Dr. William D. Knopf
The Clark levels are used for thin tumors to describe how deep the cancer has spread into the skin: Level I: The cancer is in the epidermis only. Level II: The cancer has begun to spread into the papillary dermis (upper layer of the dermis). Level III: The cancer has spread through the papillary dermis (upper layer of the dermis) into the papillary-reticular dermal interface (the layer betwee...
See More Answers »
What is carcinomatous meningitis?
1 Expert Answer
Most Recent Answer
by Dr. William D. Knopf
Carcinomatous meningitis is a serious problem that may occur in cancer in which cancer cells spread from the original (primary) tumor to the meninges (thin layers of tissue that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord). It can happen in many types of cancer, but is the most common in melanoma, breast, lung, and gastrointestinal cancer. The cancer may cause the meninges to be inflamed. Also ca...
See More Answers »
Why skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the United States?
1 Expert Answer
Most Recent Answer
by Dr. Ellen Marmur
Skin cancer is by far the most prevalent cancer in the United States, with more than one million new cases diagnosed this year, and that number is rising by almost 5 percent annually. That accounts for half of all new cancer cases each year. Current estimates are that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Melanoma is the deadliest form, accounting for more than 75 perc...
See More Answers »
1 2 3 4 5 Next >>