Melanoma by Nicole Christenson by

Sites Used

nchristi64 — 2014-10-13 01:45:21 UTC

http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/melanoma-guide/skin-cancer-melanoma-what-happens

http://www.melanoma.org/understand-melanoma/what-is-melanoma

http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/melanoma-prognosis-and-survival-rates#8

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/melanoma/basics/symptoms/con-20026009

http://manbir-online.com/grafics/melanocyte-melanoma.jpg

nchristi64 — 2014-10-13 02:25:24 UTC

nchristi64 — 2014-10-13 02:29:46 UTC

nchristi64 — 2014-10-13 02:31:01 UTC

What is Melanoma?

nchristi64 — 2014-10-13 02:32:51 UTC

Melanoma is the most dangeorus type of skin cancer. It occurs when the pigment-giving melanocytes in the epidermis are damaged by harmful UV rays from the sun and start growing uncontrollably, eventually spreading to other parts of the body in later stages.

Signs and Symptoms

nchristi64 — 2014-10-13 02:33:14 UTC

-Melanoma can develop anywhere in the body, but is much more common in locations on the skin that are commonly exposed to the sun, such as the legs and back.

-An early warning sign of melanoma is an abnormal, multicolored mole or spot on the skin. Melanoma can also develop in already present moles.

What Part of the Skin is Affected?

nchristi64 — 2014-10-13 02:33:40 UTC

Melanoma is the cancer of the melanocytes that are located on the deepest layer of the epidermis, the stratum basal.

Diagnosis

nchristi64 — 2014-10-13 02:34:09 UTC

Once early warning signs of melanoma are present (usually an abnormal mole) the possibly cancerous skin is removed and given to a pathologist to examine and confirm or decline the presence of cancer.

Prognosis 10 yr. Survival Chance

nchristi64 — 2014-10-13 02:34:18 UTC

Stage 1- Abnormal melanocytes have been detected. 90%

Stage 2- Tumor has grown and there is a small chance that it 62%
has spread to the lymph system.

Stage 3- Cancer has spread to the lymph system. 24- 68%

Stage 4- Melanoma has spread to other organs of the body, 10-15%
such as the brain or the lungs.

Treatment

nchristi64 — 2014-10-13 02:34:26 UTC

If the melanoma is discovered early, the tumor is easily removable. But if detection is prolonged, the cancer will eventually spread and be much harder to treat