New Drugs Show Promise in Treating Melanoma

Two recent studies released by the New England Journal of Medicine are giving cancer patients new hope. The studies involved the drugs, Vemurafenib and Yervoy, which were combined with chemotherapy to treat the skin cancer, melanoma, a very aggressive and deadly form of cancer which takes the lives of approximately 9,000 cancer patients every year.

Participants in the studies had advanced stage melanoma which had metastasized (spread to other parts of their body) and was inoperable. In both studies, researchers said the results, though modest, showed great promise in prolonging the life of melanoma cancer patients.

While the results of the studies are both heartening and encouraging, when it comes to deadly forms of skin cancer such as melanoma, understanding the disease, how to recognize it and what precautions you can take to prevent it is always a wise course of action. If detected early enough, patients can expect a 95% chance of cure from the disease.

What is Melanoma?

Melanoma is an aggressive and serious form of skin cancer that begins in the cells that produce pigment (color) in the skin. Melanoma usually develops in a mole or other marks on the skin, but can also grow without moles present.

Melanoma lesions are usually brown or black in color and are asymmetrical with uneven borders. They can also be lumpy and crusty and may even ooze or bleed.

How Common is Melanoma?

Compared to other skin cancers, such as squamous cell carcinomas or basal cell carcinomas , melanoma does not occur very often. But, of the three cancers, it is by far the most deadly and capable of infecting deep into the body tissue, bone or internal organs.

Who is at Risk for Melanoma?

People who have more than fifty moles on their body are considered to have at an increased risk for melanoma. Family history is also a risk factor, as is increased exposure to the sun with multiple burns.

Those with fair skin are considered to be at a higher risk for melanoma (and all skin cancers) due to the lack of pigment in the skin to protect against harmful UV rays from the sun. However, dark skinned people are at risk as well. Particularly if there are a high number of moles present, a family history, or excessive exposure to the sun or other forms of ultraviolet rays such as tanning beds.

How is Melanoma Treated?

As with all cancers, early detection of melanoma is crucial. If detected early enough 95% of all patients will survive five years or longer and will not see a recurrence.

Removal of the tumors is the first course of action and if it is determined that the cancer has spread into the tissue, surrounding lymph nodes will be removed as well.

For more advanced cases of melanoma, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy is also used. If the cancer spreads deep into the body and into the internal organs, the chances of complete cure are very low and the death rate high.

Prevention of Melanoma

Unfortunately, there is never a 100% guarantee that we will not contract cancer or any other disease. But, annual, early screening if you have risk factors and taking simple precautionary measures can reduce the potential for getting a disease considerably.

· Always use sunscreen '" fortunately, we know enough about the potential for skin cancer from too much exposure to harmful UV rays that products with a very high sun protection factor are readily available. Even if you are an olive skinned or dark skinned person, it is still wise to use sunscreen of at least 35 SPF.

· Hats and long sleeves, when they can be tolerated are also an excellent way to protect skin.

· Use an Umbrella to shield from the sun if possible '" beaches do not have to be the only place to use an umbrella.

· Avoid tanning beds - tanning beds are known to triple and even quadruple the risk for skin cancers and melanoma.

· Avoid sun tanning in general '" in addition to increasing your risk for skin cancer, excessive exposure to UV rays is known to age and damage your skin.

· If you have any suspicious moles or skin lesions see a dermatologist immediately. While the chances are it may not be melanoma, early detection is a must.

Sources:

American Cancer Society.org

National Institute of Health.gov

Med Page Today.com

Cancer.org

Web MD.com