Melanoma

Melanoma Latest News

Melanoma, in India, most commonly presents on the soles of the feet or beneath the nails, sites that are rarely examined and even more rarely associated with cancer. 

About Melanoma

• Melanoma is a kind of skin cancer that starts in the melanocytes.
  • Melanocytes are cells that make the pigment that gives skin its color. The pigment is called melanin.
• It typically starts on skin that’s often exposed to the sun. This includes the skin on the arms, back, face and legs.
• Rarely, it can happen inside the body, such as in the nose or throat.

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Cause of Melanoma

• The exact cause of all melanomas isn’t clear.
• Most melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light, also called UV light, comes from sunlight or tanning lamps and beds.

Symptoms of Melanoma

• A change in an existing mole.
• The development of a new pigmented or unusual-looking growth on the skin.
• It doesn’t always begin as a mole. It also can happen on otherwise healthy skin.

Treatments for melanoma

• Melanoma Surgery: In the early stages, surgery has a high probability of being able to cure melanoma.
• Lymphadenectomy: In cases where melanoma has spread, removal of the lymph nodes near the primary diagnosis site may be required.
• Metastasectomy: It is used to remove small melanoma bits from organs.

Source: TH