Logout 
Use SPF 30 sunscreens to protect yourself from skin cancer this summer
Application of sunscreen with a sun protection factor 30 (SPF30) prior to exposure to sunlight is likely to delay the onset of skin cancer, finds a new research.
Melanoma, a tumour formed because of malignant transformation, is one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer. Melanoma is difficult to manage after metastasis as the survival rate of the patient significantly drops. Hence, prompt diagnosis and early treatment are the best management for melanoma. Melanoma affects only 22.1 out of 10,000 individuals residing in the USA. Melanoma accounts for 75% of skin cancer mortality and only ~4% of skin cancer cases. Because of the high death rates associated with metastatic melanoma, an improved understanding of melanoma pathogenesis is the requirement of the hour.
There are four types of melanoma; they are classified as per the tumour's growth pattern:
Stages of melanoma as per the growth of the tumour are listed below:
Stage I: Less than or equal to 0.75 mm
Stage II: 0.76–1.5 mm
Stage III: 1.51–2.25 mm
Stage IV: 2.26–3.0 mm
Stage V: >3.0 mm
Stages as per the pathogenesis of tumour are listed below:
Level one: Melanoma cells are confined to the epidermis (melanoma in situ)
Level two: Invasion of single cells or small nests of melanoma in the papillary dermis
Level three: Melanoma cells expand and occupy the papillary dermis
Level four: Invasion in the reticular dermis
Level five: Invasion in the subcutaneous fat.
Signs of melanoma are listed below:
Causes
The causes of melanoma are listed below-
Melanoma can be prevented by minimizing exposure to sunlight. The following measures can help you avert melanoma:
The diagnosis of melanoma includes physical examination and laboratory workup. In physical examination, melanoma characteristics such as asymmetry, irregular border, colour variation, predominantly white, and red and blue tones in a black or brown lesion; diameters >6 mm or elevated surface of the tumour are evaluated with biopsy. Moreover, the biopsy helps us differentiate stages 1 and 2 in thickness, and it can obtain a specimen for pathological testing.
Laboratory investigations such as complete blood count, lactate dehydrogenase, and complete blood chemistry panel such as alkaline phosphatase, total protein, hepatic transaminase and albumin are evaluated.
Radiographic imaging is considered a diagnostic workup.
Treatment of melanoma is listed below:
Surgical resection
Surgical resection is the method of surgically removing the tumour and surrounding healthy tissue for localized and non-malignant melanoma. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is performed in patients with tumour sizes of >0.8 mm. On identifying the melanoma cells in the sentinel lymph nodes, the remaining lymph node may be surgically removed. In certain conditions, the metastatic tumour may be attempted for surgical resection.
Chemotherapy
The patients with metastatic melanoma relying only on surgical treatment is insufficient, and drug therapies play an essential role in managing melanoma. Dacarbazine has remained the standard of care for metastatic melanoma. The survival rate is 27%, and the survival period is from 5 to 11 months.
Targeted therapies
Targeted therapies such as BRAF inhibitors, dabrafenib and vemurafenib are approved to treat metastatic and unresectable BRAF-mutated melanoma. However, 50% of the patient receiving these drugs develop secondary resistance in a short time period.
Immune response in melanoma or immunotherapies
Immune checkpoint inhibitors a type of immunotherapy that is used in melanoma treatment. There are three immune checkpoint inhibitors drugs, such as ipilimumab, nivolumab and pembrolizumab, used to treat melanoma.
Diet modifications of the melanoma patient play an important role in the management:
Modifying the diet by increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables is beneficial in the prevention of cancer. Tea and coffee are rich in antioxidants such as quinic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid, which are beneficial for preventing cancer.
There are no alternative treatments for melanoma.
References.
Application of sunscreen with a sun protection factor 30 (SPF30) prior to exposure to sunlight is likely to delay the onset of skin cancer, finds a new research.
Anti-oxidants are likely to be an effective method of treatment for elderly patients suffering from melanoma, finds a new study.
In settings where traditional microscope is not available, smartphones can be used as microscopes to detect skin cancer with a reasonable accuracy, new research has found.
A drug prescribed for patients affected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is likely to prevent skin cancer developing resistance at the initial stages, suggests a new study.
Researchers have found that a blood test may be able to sound early warning bells that patients with advanced melanoma skin cancer are suffering from relapse.
Chilean scientists have developed an ointment that can combat melanoma, the most aggressive type of skin cancer.
Researchers have discovered a compound in natural food additives called annatto that may prevent skin cancer.
he study shows the test which monitors the blood levels of DNA fragments from dead cancer cells helps in tracking the severity and potential spread of the skin cancer.
Reduce your risk of skin cancer by loading up on this vitamin!
Do you have more than 11 moles on your right arm? You must read this!
Are you proud of being tall? Study claims your height increases your risk of developing cancer
Scientists reveal the reason behind certain moles turning cancerous.
Serving the nation in desert region? You may be at a risk of skin cancer
Dermoscopy -- a new-age non-invasive test to detect skin cancer
Really?? Citrus fruits put you at risk of skin cancer!
What are skin tags? Skin tags are harmless, small growth on the skin. Click to see a picture if you are not sure whether you have them
Application of sunscreen with a sun protection factor 30 (SPF30) prior to exposure to sunlight is likely to delay the onset of skin cancer, finds a new research.
Anti-oxidants are likely to be an effective method of treatment for elderly patients suffering from melanoma, finds a new study.
In settings where traditional microscope is not available, smartphones can be used as microscopes to detect skin cancer with a reasonable accuracy, new research has found.
A drug prescribed for patients affected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is likely to prevent skin cancer developing resistance at the initial stages, suggests a new study.
Researchers have found that a blood test may be able to sound early warning bells that patients with advanced melanoma skin cancer are suffering from relapse.
Chilean scientists have developed an ointment that can combat melanoma, the most aggressive type of skin cancer.
Researchers have discovered a compound in natural food additives called annatto that may prevent skin cancer.
he study shows the test which monitors the blood levels of DNA fragments from dead cancer cells helps in tracking the severity and potential spread of the skin cancer.
Reduce your risk of skin cancer by loading up on this vitamin!
Do you have more than 11 moles on your right arm? You must read this!
Are you proud of being tall? Study claims your height increases your risk of developing cancer
Scientists reveal the reason behind certain moles turning cancerous.
Serving the nation in desert region? You may be at a risk of skin cancer
Dermoscopy -- a new-age non-invasive test to detect skin cancer
Really?? Citrus fruits put you at risk of skin cancer!
What are skin tags? Skin tags are harmless, small growth on the skin. Click to see a picture if you are not sure whether you have them
