Melanoma

Definition

黑色素瘤是一种皮肤癌. 它最常见于皮肤. However, it can also form in the eyes, digestive system, nails, or lymph nodes.

Melanoma is more likely to spread to other parts of the body and be fatal. 早期治疗很重要.

Melanoma

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Causes

Cancer happens when cells divide without control or order. These cells grow together to form a tumor. They can invade and damage nearby tissues. They can also spread to other parts of the body.

It is not clear what causes changes in the cells. It is likely due to genes and environment.

Risk Factors

Melanoma is more common in men and those aged 40 to 60 years old. However, younger people can also get it.

Things that raise the risk of melanoma are:

• Moles called dysplastic nevi, or atypical moles
• Having many moles
• Having:
  • Light skin and a tendency to have freckles
  • Red or blonde hair
  • Blue or green eyes
• 有黑色素瘤家族史
• Excessive skin exposure to the sun—without protective clothing or sunscreen
• 使用太阳灯和晒黑亭
• A history of childhood cancer, skin cancer, or skin pre-cancer
• 免疫系统薄弱

Symptoms

黑色素瘤通常不疼痛.

Symptoms may be a change in the size, shape, color, or feel of an existing mole. Melanoma may also appear as a new, dark, discolored, or abnormal mole.

Signs that a mole may be melanoma are (ABCDE rule):

• symmetry or uneven shape—one half does not match the shape of the other half
• 有序或边缘不均匀
• olor varies or is uneven—with shades of black, brown, white, gray, pink, red, or blue
• iameter or size—often larger than a pencil eraser (6 millimeters or ¼ inch)
• volution or change—often grows larger; changes shape, color, or texture, or may itch

Some melanomas do not fit the ABCDE rule.

潜在黑色素瘤的迹象

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Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms and past health. A physical exam will be done. The doctor will look at the skin and moles. A tissue sample of the area will be taken and tested for cancer.

The doctor may also check lymph nodes. Swollen lymph nodes could mean melanoma has spread. A sample of lymph node tissue may also be removed for testing.

If melanoma is found, more tests will find the stage of cancer. 黑色素瘤分为I到IV期. Staging shows if the cancer has spread.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the location and stage of the melanoma. One or more treatments may be used, such as:

• Surgery to remove the melanoma and some tissue around it
• 前哨淋巴结活检肿瘤附近可能有淋巴结 removed for testing or to stop the spread of cancer
• Chemotherapy-杀死癌细胞的药物; 如果癌症已经扩散
• 其他药物如:
  • Immunotherapy—to help the immune system fight cancer
  • Medicines to target cells with the BRAF gene—a gene that makes melanoma grow fast
• Radiation therapy—to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors

Prevention

为了降低患黑色素瘤的风险:

• Do not spend too much time in the sun
• 保护皮肤免受阳光照射:
  • Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants, a wide-brim hat, and sunglasses
  • Use sunscreens with an SPF of at least 30
  • Avoid exposure during the peak hours of the day
• Do not use sun lamps and tanning booths

References

• Kibbi N, Kluger H等. 黑色素瘤的临床表现. Cancer Treat Res. 2016;167:107-29.
• Melanoma treatment—professional version. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/types/skin/hp/melanoma-treatment-pdq#section/%5F1.
• Melanoma. EBSCO DynaMed网站. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/condition/melanoma.
• Melanoma skin cancer. 美国癌症协会网站. 可从http://www上读取。.cancer.org/cancer/types/melanoma-skin-cancer.html.