Diagnosis and treatment options for melanoma cancer

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that usually starts in melanocytes. Melanocytes are a type of skin cells responsible for providing color to the skin by producing a pigment called melanin. Melanoma is difficult to diagnose in the early stages as its symptoms closely resemble normal moles. The following article provides information about melanoma pictures, diagnosis, treatment options, etc.

Which websites have pictures of melanoma?

• mayoclinic.org : This is a comprehensive health website that offers information on almost any disease. They have created a page exclusively for melanoma pictures based on the shape, size, and growth of the mole.
• melanoma . org: This website shares information only about melanoma skin cancer. They also have pictures of melanoma skin cancer so that viewers check if they have similar abnormal growths. The pictures show the evolution of moles due to skin cancer.
• melanoma . gov: This government-funded website shares melanoma pictures based on the appearance, letting viewers differentiate between normal and malignant moles.

How is melanoma cancer diagnosed?
Here are some biopsy procedures used to diagnose melanoma cancer:

• Excisional biopsy: Under this procedure, the entire growth is removed along with a small border of normal-looking skin.
• Punch biopsy: The doctor will use a tool with a circular blade that presses into the skin around the suspicious mole, thereby removing a round piece of skin.
• Incisional biopsy: This type of biopsy sends the most irregular part of mole (suspected to be malignant) for laboratory analysis.

What are the treatment procedures for melanoma cancer?
The treatment of melanoma cancer depends on the size and stage of cancer and the patient’s overall health. Here are some treatment procedures based on the stages of cancer:

• Early-stage melanoma: The patient undergoes a surgery that simply removes the cancerous mole or growth. The oncologist will then remove a very thin layer of the border (usually called the margin) of the skin, and a layer of skin underneath it to ensure there is no further growth or spread of malignant cells. For many patients, this might only be the treatment needed.

Treatment of later stages such as stage I, II, and III require a more detailed procedure. Some of them are mentioned below:

• Chemotherapy : This therapy uses specific types of medicines that destroy both cancerous and normal cells. Chemotherapy is usually given intravenously or in the form of pills.
• Radiotherapy : Oncologists suggest that radiotherapy is relatively more effective than chemotherapy in treating melanoma skin cancer. This is because it uses high energy beams such as X-rays, to specifically target malignant cells.
• Removal of lymph nodes : Once a diagnosis shows that cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, the surgeons might decide to remove them. This is done to ensure that cancer cells do not spread to other parts of the body.
• Biological therapy : This type of therapy targets cancer cells by boosting the immune system of the body. This therapy’s medicines are made of substances that mimic the ones naturally produced by the body to fight unhealthy cells and infections.

Can melanoma be prevented?

Here are some tips that can be used to prevent melanoma skin cancer:

• Protection from the sun : People living in areas with maximum exposure to the sun and UV rays are prone to this type of skin cancer. People are advised to consult their skin specialists and use sunscreens with special SPF formula.
• Avoid using sunlamps and tanning beds : These UV-emitting instruments are not entirely harmless as long-term exposure to UV rays emanating from tanning beds and sun lamps can result in the development of melanoma cancer
• Keep a track of changes in the skin : It is important to check one’s skin regularly to discover any abnormal growth or discoloration. Refer to melanoma pictures from trusted sources available on the internet and consult an oncologist on time to prevent these growths from turning malignant.
• Maintain a good immune system : Maintaining a healthy diet is the most important aspect to fight any disease. Avoid skipping meals and eat nourishing food items that help to maintain a healthy immune system.