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Melanoma

Melanoma

Melanoma is cancer of the skin. It is found in cells that make pigment called melanocytes. It can occur in the skin, in moles, or pigmented areas and also the eye and intestines. The three types of skin cancer that account for nearly 100% of skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Merkel cell carcinoma is an extremely rare skin cancer but is very aggressive.

Top Questions Asked on ChaCha.com for Melanoma

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  1. What are signs that Melanoma has spread?

    Often the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, sha...

  2. What do the early stages of melanoma look like?

    The 1st sign of melanoma is often change in size, shape, or c...

  3. What is another type of cancer that starts with 'm' other than Melanoma''?

    Besides Melanoma, some other cancers that start with "M" are ...

  4. Should i feel sick if i have Skin Cancer or Melanoma?

    Not necessarily. It would depend on how advanced the skin can...

  5. Describe the ABCDs of melanoma?

    The ABCD rule is: A for Asymmetry, B for Border Irregularity,...

  1. What do the early stages of melanoma look like?

    The 1st sign of melanoma is often change in size, shape, or c...

  2. What are signs that Melanoma has spread?

    Often the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, sha...

  3. How fast can melanoma kill you and can teens get it?

    Older people are at a greater risk of getting melanoma but te...

  4. What are the signs and symptoms of melanoma?

    The first melanoma symptoms often are a change in an existing...

  5. How many people get diagnosed with melanoma cancer a year?

    About 62,000 new cases of melanoma were diagnosed in the U.S....

  1. Should i feel sick if i have Skin Cancer or Melanoma?

    Not necessarily. It would depend on how advanced the skin can...

  2. What is another type of cancer that starts with 'm' other than Melanoma''?

    Besides Melanoma, some other cancers that start with "M" are ...

  3. What are the first signs of melanoma?

    A form of cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make ...

  4. How long until melanoma spreads from the skin to the organs?

    Melanoma travels along the top layer of the skin for a fairly...

  5. What are signs that Melanoma has spread?

    Often the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, sha...

Top Questions Asked on ChaCha Mobile for Melanoma

In the Last:
Day | Week | Month

  1. What are the symptoms for melanoma?

    Symptoms for Melanoma could be a change in the size, color, o...

  2. What are signs of melanoma?

    Often, the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, sh...

  3. Can you get melanoma in your eye?

    Melanoma develops in the pigment that gives your skin its col...

  4. Is melanoma hereditary?

    Most melanomas (about 90%) are considered sporadic, meaning t...

  5. What is melanoma and what is the cause of melanoma?

    Melanoma is a form of skin cancer. Malignant melanoma, especi...

  1. Is melanoma deadly?

    There are expected to be 62,190 new cases of melanoma diagnos...

  2. What does melanoma look like?

    One half of the mole is different from the other half, the sp...

  3. What is melanoma skin cancer?

    Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in cells in the...

  4. How long does it take for melanoma biopsy results to come back?

    Results for a biopsy usually take 1 - 2 weeks, depending on t...

  5. What does melanoma do to the body?

    Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. It begins i...

  1. Does melanoma have a cure?

    As of yet, there is no permanent cure for melanoma. Most peop...

  2. What are the symptoms for melanoma?

    Symptoms for Melanoma could be a change in the size, color, o...

  3. What does melanoma look like?

    One half of the mole is different from the other half, the sp...

  4. What is the youngest age anyone has ever gotten melanoma?

    The youngest person to get melanoma was not listed online. Ch...

  5. Is melanoma hereditary?

    Most melanomas (about 90%) are considered sporadic, meaning t...

About Melanoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the least deadly of the three types of skin cancer but is the most common. It rarely metastasizes but can cause damage if left untreated. Common risk factors for this type of skin cancer are chronic sunburns and overexposure to the sun. Family history and fair skin also contribute.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer and can spread to other parts of the body quickly if left untreated Tanning beds are not recommended as they increase your exposure to UV rays from the sun.

Malignant melanoma is the deadliest of all skin cancers but is curable if caught early enough. Risk factors for this type again include, family history, skin type, number of moles, sun exposure, and weakened immune system.

There are four types of treatments used for skin cancer. They are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and photodynamic therapy. Surgeries may include Mohs surgery, Simple excision, Shave excision, Electrodesiccation, curettage, and Cryosurgery.

Cancer.gov estimates new cases and deaths from melanoma in the United States in 2010 will be:
New cases: 68,130
Deaths: 8,700

As always, early detection is key for survival. If you notice any changes in your skin, you should contact your doctor. Men are more likely to find a melanoma on their trunk and women tend to find them more often on their legs or arms.

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Melanoma