By: Courtney Elvis

Scientific Name: Melanoma

Common Name: Skin Cancer

Melanoma is cancer of the melanocytes.

There is a 50% survival rate, so most people die from this type of cancer.
It is a very spontaneous type of cancer and spreads rapidly, but some come from pigmented moles. It begins as a brown to black patch, but then surround lymph and blood vessels.

Triggers: Fair skin, light colored hair, light colored eyes, large amounts of moles, certain medicines, and family history of the disease. Environmental Cause: Sun

Sign: Unusual Mole Symptoms of unusual mole:

Changes in size, shape, or color The two halves of the mole are not similar Edges of the mole are not even Different shades and patches of color in the mole The mole is wider than the width of a pencil eraser

Frequency: Over 55,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma each year in the U.S. Distribution:
Who gets it: Anyone who spends a lot of time in the sun with skin not protected Where is it found: In skin cells called melanocytes How is it transmitted: Through UV radiation from the sun

Current: Lower risk forms of this cancer are treated by surgery which removes the tissue around the melanoma. Higher risk forms this cancer are treated with immunotherapy. New Research:
Screening of people with high melanoma risk Targeted therapy Clinical trials that find better ways to reduce symptoms and side effects of this cancer

If the mole is metastatic, chemotherapy may be used.

Diet doesnt affect this disease, so there are no dietary considerations. One recommendation include limiting how much your skin is exposed to sunlight (UV rays).

Another would be making sure to periodically check the skin for new moles or pigmented spots.

Stage IA: The 5-year survival rate is around 97%. The 10-year survival is around 95%. Stage IB: The 5-year survival rate is around 92%. The 10-year survival is around 86%. Stage IIA: The 5-year survival rate is around 81%. The 10-year survival is around 67%. Stage IIB: The 5-year survival rate is around 70%. The 10-year survival is around 57%. Stage IIC: The 5-year survival rate is around 53%. The 10-year survival is around 40%. Stage IIIA: The 5-year survival rate is around 78%. The 10-year survival is around 68%. Stage IIIB: The 5-year survival rate is around 59%. The 10-year survival is around 43%. Stage IIIC: The 5-year survival rate is around 40%. The 10-year survival is around 24%.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanoma http://www.odec.ca/projects/2006/pare6b2/typesofskincancer-page4.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star http://www.weddingsbylilly.com/wedding-make-up/wedding-makeup-looks/ http://skintagmoleremovalcream.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/atypicalmoles.jpg http://redscrubs.com/pictures/educating patients_clinical_trials_.jpg http://images.medicinenet.com/images/slideshow/skin_cancer_s9_irregular_mol es.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Illu_skin02.jpg http://www.myhousecallmd.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/SunDamage_5.jpg http://animalpetdoctor.homestead.com/surg2.jpg

http://yourdiseaserisk.wustl.edu/YDRDefault.aspx?ScreenControl=YDRGeneral &ScreenName=YDRMelanomaRisk_List http://www.medicinenet.com/melanoma/page5.htm http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/melanoma/latest-research http://www.cancer.org/cancer/skincancer-melanoma/detailedguide/melanomaskin-cancer-survival-rates