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- Title
Suspicious skin tumours.
- Authors
Batrinu, Ionelia; Pop, Ruxandra Ramona
- Abstract
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that originates in pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. These cells become abnormal, grow uncontrollably and invade the surrounding tissues aggressively. Although less common than other types of skin cancer, melanoma is the most serious of them. Fortunately, melanoma can be cured if it is detected and treated in the early stages, when is located only in the skin. In more advanced stages, haematogenous (blood) or lymphatic way metastases may spread to other organs or bones, in which case healing is less likely. Causes. The most common causes of melanoma are: exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation between 10 AM and 3 PM and sun exposure at high altitudes; destruction of melanocytes DNA as a result of sun and UV exposure (short wavelength radiation is the most important factor causing melanoma); the tanning lamp is also exposing the skin to UV radiation, increasing the risk of melanoma; depletion of the ozone layer can significantly affect the incidence of melanoma (it is estimated a 1% increase in melanoma incidence with each ozone layer thinning percentage), family aggregation of melanoma (more cases of melanoma in the same family), atypical moles, deficient immune system, especially in organ transplant patients, patients with leukaemia or lymphoma. Early symptoms. The most important alarm signal for melanoma is the change in size, shape or colour of a mole or another skin tumour, such as a birth sign. The changes that occur should be monitored after a period of one month to 1-2 years. The ABCD guidelines of the American Skin Cancer Society should be used to assess skin changes, and the family doctor must be consulted should one of the following changes occur: A is for asymmetry. Half of the mole or cutaneous tumour does not overlap with the other half. B is for irregular borders. The edges are frayed, dentate or spotted. C is for colour. Pigmentation is uneven. Shades of brown, brown and black are present. Red, white, and blue lines are added to the appearance of colour spots. Changing colour distribution, especially spreading the colour from the mole’s border to the surrounding skin, is also an early sign of melanoma. D is for diameter. The mole or cutaneous tumour is larger than 6 mm or the size of a pencil eraser. Any enlargement of a mole should be a signal of concern. Signs of melanoma in case of a mole include: changes in height - such as depth invasion or elevation of the previously flat mole; changes in surface - like redness, swelling or the appearance of new small spots of colour around the larger lesion (satellite pigmentation); itchy, tingling or burning sensation at the lesion level; friable, soft consistency with small pieces that break very easily. Melanoma can develop on an existing mole or other sign on skin, but it often develops on normal skin, free of any sign. Although melanoma can develop anywhere on the skin, it occurs more frequently in the chest area, both in men and women, and on the lower limbs in women. Less commonly, it can develop on the soles, palms, the nail bed or the mucous membranes that latch the body cavities such as the mouth, rectum and vagina. Many other conditions (like seborrheic keratosis, warts, and basal cell carcinoma) have melanoma-like features. Late symptoms of melanoma include: a ulcerative skin lesion or bleeding from a mole or other coloured skin lesions, pain from a mole or skin lesion. Symptoms of metastatic melanoma may be vague and include: lymphadenitis (inflammation of the lymph nodes), especially in the lining of the axilla or abdomen, a more discoloured or dense portion under the skin, unexplained weight loss, grey skin (melanosis).
- Subjects
SKIN tumors; MELANOMA; ULTRAVIOLET radiation; TUMOR treatment
- Publication
Oncolog-Hematolog, 2017, Issue 39, p65
- ISSN
2066-8716
- Publication type
Abstract