Melanoma Skin Cancer

MELANOMA SKIN ÇANCER What is Melanoma? There are many forms of skin cancer, with the two most common being basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell Cutaneous melanoma carcinoma. One of the most dangerous types of skin cancer, however, is melanoma, which may begin as a mole that alters in appearance or could originate on normal skin. More than 90 percent of melanomas are caused by mutations in the DNA of skin cells called melanocytes (which produce the pigment melanin). Melanomas originating on the skin are called cutaneous melanomas. Less commonly, melanoma can also appear in other locations, such as the eyes or sinuses. melanocyte Did You Know? There are approximately 75,000 new cases of melanoma diagnosed in the United States each year. Did You Know? There are approximately 9,000 melanoma related deaths in the United States each year. Did You Know? The median age of diagnosis is 59 years, but people of all ages can develop melanoma. RISK FACTORS for Melanoma Skin Cancer Factors that increase the risk for developing cutaneous melanoma include the following: Family history of melanoma Personal history of melanoma Multiple atypical moles or dysplastic nevi Sun exposure Fair skin SIGNS of Melanoma Skin Cancer A skin lesion may be cancerous if it exhibits the following characteristics: • Ragged edges • Uneven shape • Uneven coloration • Changes in texture • Changes in size Bleeding STAGES of Melanoma Skin Cancer Stage 0 Melanoma in situ: Melanomas are staged based on Has not invaded the features such as the lower layers of skin Breslow thickness (how deeply the melanoma invades Stage I: Detected only at the primary site the skin), the presence of mitosis (dividing cells), and ulceration. The stages are as follows: Stage Il: Detected only at the primary site Stage IlI: Spread to the draining lymph nodes or along the lymph channels on the way to the lymph nodes Lymph nodes • Stage IV: Spread distantly in the body either by the lymph or circulatory systems Circulatory system TREATMENTS for Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatments for melanoma include the following procedures and medications: Melanoma Surgical Procedures to Treat Melanoma: Surgical options for the treatment of melanoma include wide excision (which removes the cancerous tissue plus a margin of healthy skin surrounding it) and sentinel lymph node biopsy (which determines if the initial lymph nodes draining from the primary melanoma contain cancer cells). Excision lines Medications to Treat Melanoma: There are a number of chemotherapies and immune therapies Prescri approved by the Food and Drug Administration Han Medication (FDA) for the treatment of stage II, III, and IV melanomas. These treatment options are growing as research develops new medications. Mount Sinai ©2013 The Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York You are free to copy, distribute and transmit this content, but you must attribute the work to Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York Visit www.mountsinai.org/melanoma for more information.