The Melanoma Skin Cancer

Illustration by Google Image

Skin cancer can be experienced by anyone, and one type of skin cancer known as melanoma. Melanoma occurs in melanocyte cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives color to the skin and may appear on the back, legs, arms up to the face (the area most exposed to sunlight). But grow in these cells, melanoma may appear in the eyes and even internal organs such as the intestines.

The cause of melanoma is suspected came from exposure to UV rays or ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Limiting exposure to UV rays that are too long may help reduce the risk of developing melanoma. In addition to reducing exposure to UV light, the age and gender factors, especially the women also increase the risk of melanoma. However, early detection can help prevent a worsening stage of the cancer.

There are several symptoms that are a sign of the onset of melanoma in a person:
1. The change in moles.
2. The existence of a mass that grows and develops with the new pigment colors and unusual look.

Illustration by Google Image

Normal moles usually have three primary colors, ranging from brown to black color with clear boundaries between the moles with surrounding skin. Form normal moles are usually oval or round with a size smaller than 6 millimeters, or about the size of a pencil eraser.
In normal conditions, a person can have a mole as much as 10 to 45 moles. Moles can continue to appear until the age of 40 years, despite zoom can undergo constant change even disappear altogether due to age.

When the mole is suspected as would melanoma, then there are several characteristics that distinguish it as follows :
1. The shape of the asymmetric moles, not round or oval.
2. The shape of the rim which also seemed unusual, such as dots or wavy.
3. The change of color, ranging from uneven color to a different color.
4. The existence of growth to more than 6 millimeters and the changes that continue to occur.
5. Arise itching until discharge or bleeding. 

However, not all of these symptoms experienced by patients with melanoma evenly. There melanoma patients who only had two or three of the overall symptoms.

In addition to melanoma in the form of a mole, there is also a hidden melanoma, in an area that is rarely exposed to sunlight, such as on the sidelines of the toes and fingers, soles, scalp to sensitive areas. Usually, this kind of melanoma experienced by people with darker skin. In addition to the areas already mentioned, melanoma can also occur on the nails, mouth, digestive tract, bladder, vagina in women up to the eye.

Cause a person can experience a melanoma is abnormality that occurs in cells that produce melanin, which is known as melanocyt, cells in human skin color poster.

Illustration by Google Image

Under normal conditions, the skin cells had been developed in a controlled manner, in which healthy new cells replace the cells that are already parents to come to the surface of the skin, which then die and eroded. However, when there is damage to DNA, the new cells may undergo uncontrolled growth leading to the formation of a cancerous mass. Causes damage to the DNA in skin cells not yet clear, and can occur as a result of various factors, ranging from factors outside the body in the form of exposure to UV rays up in the body that is genetic.An additional factor that makes the higher the risk of developing melanoma in the form of their fair skin pigment melanin levels are less so even less protection. In addition, history has experienced sunburn, excessive exposure to UV rays, lived on the equator are much sunlight, has a lot of abnormally shaped moles, melanoma patients with a history in the family until the immune system is weakened by disease that attacks The body's immune system can also contribute to the condition of melanoma.

Treatment for the condition of melanoma depends on the stage of the cancer. In the early stages, treatment can be done by surgical removal of the cancer cells when a biopsy. When the melanoma has spread to more than skin area, treatment may include:

1. Surgery to remove the lymph nodes that have been affected by the cancer cells. 

2. Chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells, through an IV line, pills or both. In addition to these two ways, the method is called isolated limb perfusion can also be performed, in which the blood in the arms and legs are blocked its distribution to other areas for some time that chemotherapy drugs can directly target a location about melanoma.

3. Radiation therapy, which uses energy beams such as X-rays. Typically, this therapy is a form of advanced care in carrying out the surgical removal of the lymph nodes, but cancer cells have already spread to other areas. 

To prevent melanoma, such action is necessary to avoid exposure to the sun is right in the middle of the day, from 10 am to 4 pm, wearing protection such as sunscreen, wearing clothing that protects the skin, avoid skin darkening or tanning procedure that uses UV rays as well as recognize parts of the skin thoroughly to be able to detect if there is a change that is not unusual. (AM)