1. What is malignant
melanoma?
Malignant melanoma is a very serious skin cancer characterized by
the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing tanning cells. Melanomas
may suddenly appear without warning but can also develop from or
near a mole. They are found most frequently on the trunk of fair-skinned
men and the lower legs of fair-skinned women, but they can occur
anywhere on the body.
2. What causes melanoma?
Excessive exposure to the ultraviolet radiation of the sun may be
the primary cause of melanoma. Persons in southern regions, where
the sunlight is more intense, are more likely to develop melanoma
than those in the north. Other possible causes include genetic factors
and immune system deficiencies. Malignant melanoma has also been
linked to more severe sunburns and younger ages of sun exposure.
3. Is melanoma a serious
disease?
Yes, malignant melanoma is an extremely serious disease if not detected
at an early stage. In later stages, malignant melanoma spreads to
other organs and may result in death. But if detected in the early
stages, melanoma can usually be treated successfully.
4. How many people will
develop malignant melanoma this year?
At least 41,600 new cases of malignant melanoma were expected to
be diagnosed in 1998 in the United States, and 7,300 people were
expected to die from the disease. Since 1973 the rate of new melanomas
diagnosed each year has doubled from six per 100,000 to twelve per
100,000.
5. What are my chances
of getting malignant melanoma?
Although malignant melanoma is less common than other skin cancers,
it is increasing at a faster rate than any other form of cancer.
Recent studies showed that by the year 2000, 1 in 75 persons could
develop malignant melanoma.
6. Who gets melanoma?
While malignant melanoma can strike anyone, Caucasians are at far
greater risk than those of other races. About fifty percent of all
melanomas occur in people over the age of fifty with nearly fifty
percent of all melanoma deaths occurring in white men fifty years
of age and above. However, melanoma can occur in young people. Among
Caucasians, certain individuals are at higher risk than others.
For example:
- If you’re a Caucasian with fair skin, your
risk is twice as great as a Caucasian with olive skin;
- Excessive sun exposure in the first 10 to 15 years
of life increases your chances for developing melanoma three-fold;
- Redheads and blondes have a two-fold to four-fold
increased risk of developing melanoma;
- If you’ve already had one melanoma, your
chances of another are increased by five to nine times;
- You’re at increased risk of developing melanoma
if you have atypical moles or dysplastic nevi (unusual moles);
- Your risk is increased two to ten times if your
parent, child or sibling has had melanoma.
7. What are atypical
moles or dysplastic nevi?
The average young adult has at least 25 brown moles, or nevi. Almost
all moles are normal. Atypical moles are unusual moles that are
generally larger than normal, variable in color, often have irregular
borders, and may occur in far greater numbers than ordinary moles.
Atypical moles occur most often on the back and also commonly occur
on the chest, abdomen and legs in women. They can also appear on
the scalp, breasts, and buttocks. The presence of atypical moles
may mark a greater risk of malignant melanoma developing in a mole
or on apparently normal skin.
8. Should atypical moles
be removed before they become cancerous?
Dermatologists are divided on the value of preventive removal of
atypical moles. Because they can occur in larger numbers (sometimes
more than 100), their removal may be expensive and cosmetically
unsatisfactory. Many dermatologists recommend careful and regular
monitoring of these moles and surgical removal of suspicious lesions.
9. What does malignant
melanoma look like?
The ABCD rule can
help tell a normal mole from one that could be a melanoma.
Asymmetry:
One-half of the mole does not match the other half.
Border Irregularity:
The edges of the mole are ragged or notched.
Color: The
color over the mole is not the same. There may be differing shades
of tan, brown, or black, and sometimes patches of red, blue, or
white.
Diameter: The
mole is larger than six millimeters (pencil eraser size).
The most important sign of melanoma is the change
in size, shape, or color of a mole.
10. Can melanoma be
cured?
When detected early, surgical removal of thin melanomas can cure
the disease in most cases. Early detection is essential; there is
a direct correlation between the thickness of the melanoma and survival
rate. Dermatologists recommend a regular self-examination of the
skin to detect changes in its appearance, especially changes in
existing moles or blemishes. Additionally, patients with risk factors
should have a complete skin examination annually. Anyone with a
large number of changing moles should be examined immediately.
11. Can melanoma be
prevented?
Yes. Because overexposure to ultraviolet light is thought to be
a primary cause of malignant melanoma, dermatologists recommend
the following precautions:
Avoid "peak" sunlight hours – generally 10AM to
4PM – when the sun’s rays are most intense.
Apply a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least
15 between fifteen and thirty minutes before going outdoors. Reapply
every two hours, especially when playing, gardening, swimming, or
doing any other outdoor activities.
Wear protective clothing with a tight weave to the cloth, long-sleeved
shirt, pants, and a wide brimmed hat during prolonged periods of
sun exposure.
NYU
Prognosis Model For Cutaneous Melanoma |
