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After melanoma has been diagnosed, a skin biopsy will be performed. The area will be excised again to make sure that the cancerous cells have been removed completely. During excision, anesthesia is injected into an area close to the one being operated on. The tumor is then cut out, along with a margin of normal, non-cancerous skin around the lesion. The wound is stitched and a sample of the skin is sent away for research. (Guy) A follow up is required after the excision. Most people prefer baseline total body photography. It compares lesions during the follow up to notice any new and changing areas on the skin. (Secker) It is important to try to avoid surgery by examining the body regularly for abnormal areas and by trying to avoid being over…
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With ever story of victory, comes a drowning idea of failure. Throughout our live, these battles are fought, taking not only mental strength, but physical as well. Some of these battles are chosen, while the rest flank from behind. With this in mind, a story of victory must be told, on behalf of my Aunt, Joenell. Her battle took place in April, of 2009, she went to the Suttee Delta hospital, in Antioch California for a doctor’s visit, for fear that something was wrong, during this visit she informed her doctor that she felt a not on her left breast. Soon after, she had a mammogram, and an ultrasound done, revealing three cancerous lumps. As the doctor went into detail, she started to realize the gravity of the situation. For the first time; at the age of 59, she was confronted with the most life threating event she had ever faced. So for a second opinion, she went to the Epic Cancer center, also in Antioch California. Certainly, the last thing anyone would like to hear during a doctor’s visit, she knew there would be some decisions to be made, time to study up.…
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Skin Cancer is the most common form of cancer, with over 3.5 million cases each year (1). There are three types of skin cancers: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, yet melanoma is the most dangerous according to mortality rates (1). The Melanoma Research Foundation is the largest independent organization that strives to raise money for awareness and educate patients and family members about Melanoma. The foundation’s mission statement emphasizes “medical researchH for finding effective treatments…To EDUCATE patients and physicians about prevention…To act as an ADVOCATE for the melanoma community” (2).…
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1. Patient was a 66 year old male admitted for excision of malignant melanoma, base of the skull. The day after admission a wide excision of scalp with split thickness skin graft and bilateral radical cervical lymph node dissection was performed.…
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Melanoma accounts for 5% of all skin cancers and it results in most of the skin cancer deaths. At first, melanoma cells are found in the epidermis and top layers of the dermis. But, once they grow downward into the dermis the cancer can come into contact with lymph and blood vessels, and from there spread to other parts of the body. If the melanoma is thicker it has a bigger chance of spreading to other places in the body. That is why it is important to have the mole or lesion that is affected removed before it reaches to deeper layers of the skin,…
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Background: A 36year old Caucasian male who is a construction worker presented to his physician's office complaining of several moles on his scalp and face that were “changing.” The client noticed a color change on the moles and states "they've increased in size". The borders on the facial moles are irregular. In addition; he states "the mole on his scalp is the worst". One half does not look equal to the other half. The client states "the moles are very bothersome and they itch a lot".…
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People are now seeing the truth, but even if they know what's happening to them it's important to know the reasons it's happening . To get down to basics there are five clinical types of melanoma. The most common form is called the superficial spreading melanoma and it about 70% of all melanoma cases. It is commonly found on the truck in men and on the legs in woman (Joan 4). Many people get confused on what melanoma is. Melanoma is a tumor of melanin-forming cells, melanin cells are cells that have turned dark brown by the overexposure of sun. Basal and squamous are a less deadly form of skin cancer also caused by the overexposure of sun. It's important for us to know why skin cancers specifically the more deadly ones like melanoma are spreading and the answer is very clear. While basal and squamous cell cancers tend to invade locally, melanoma spreads very quickly to other parts of the body ( Egan 6). The unfortunate part is that people today are finally getting the information they need. In the past people didn't know that sun burns and not wearing sunscreen could affect them so much in the future. Between 40 and 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma at least once ( Steve 6). Although the number is still increasing with more awareness it can be easy to…
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Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and is increasing faster than any other type cancer with the exception of lung cancer in women. Worldwide it counts for only 4% of skin cancer cases yet is responsible for 78% of cancer causing deaths. If caught early enough it can be very treatable, but early detection is key. In the United States alone the number of people with melanoma has doubled in the last 30 years.…
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The number of cases of melanoma that are diagnosed yearly has been increasing at a rate greater than any other cancer. Some of this may be due to a greater awareness of the disease in the general population, as well as increased screening by doctors.…
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Elke found out that she had cancer when she was only about 25 years old, age does not matter to cancer, and it does not discriminate. The thought of watching her go through this at such a young age was just unimaginable. I have learned to start being more aware of my own health, after seeing her have to fight so hard, I had no choice. With the history of cancer in my family and what she went through, I decided to be proactive and the day after she passed away I went for a mammogram because the earlier cancer is detected, the better the outcome. I have an appointment to have a hysterectomy, and have had many MRIs to scan for migraine problems and check for cancer. Elke battling so hard just opened my eyes to see how fast things can happen and with no warning. She had to go through many tests, chemotherapy, and she was sick all of the time. The medications and chemotherapy and radiation break down the immune system and made her more susceptible to other illnesses. I didn’t want to have to go through all of that, it was awful to watch her go through it, but she did and…
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To begin, many people have heard the term melanoma but it is important to know and understand what it is. According to the article “Melanoma Stage Three Prognosis,” Melanoma is a cancer that forms in the melanocytes of the skin. These are cells that make melanin, which colors our eyes, hair and skin (“Melanoma” 2011). These cells can be found in moles usually brown or black in color, but sometimes pink, red, or even blue. Not only can these moles and other spots be cancerous, they can be deadly. Melanoma is one of the deadliest cancers in America, and also one of the fastest spreading cancers (“Skin Cancer Facts” 2011). People…
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Eventually they concluded that cancer was a possibility. The doctor also didn’t help with any of this new upcoming stress (but then again it’s not their job). He closed the door, hunched over in his seat, took of his glasses, and in a stern voice told me and my father “we don’t want to scare you but we might be looking at cancer here”. Of course my heart was ready to pound out of my chest due to the immense stress and fear of living with cancer. I’m already an anxious kid and now being told that I could have cancer just made me fear life in itself. Now picture this: you’re a 16 year old where everything is eventually taken away, no more baseball, positive vibes, and stress affecting my performance in school on top of being told I could possibly be living with cancer for the rest of my life. How would I make it anywhere in life when I couldn’t even think straight due to this fear and stress? However even with this news, I took some time to meditate and figure out myself. With this time I contemplated many depressing things. Such as how my funeral would be, who would be there, and who would be sad. With time the doctors confirmed that it was only a scare and that the source was something else that could be…
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On November 15th, 2005 it was marked five years for Craig, a melanoma survivor. Craig states, “I was an outdoor person who thought it wouldn’t happen to me, but it did at a very young age.” Craig was diagnosed with melanoma in his left ear lobe at a self-conscious age of 21 years old. He had a two cm wedge resection and had some lymph nodes removed for testing to make sure it hadn’t spread. About a year later, a lump appeared on his left side of his neck. It was found to be secondary melanoma and spread to his lymph glands in his neck. He lost a quarter of muscles in his neck and most of his lymph nodes but not his determination. It has been the five year mark but there is a five percent chance the same melanoma can reoccur. Craig was a lucky cancer survivor from the deadliest skin cancer. Melanoma is just one of the side effects of the sun and indoor tanning is the new addiction for our generation instead of going out and getting the natural vitamin D.…
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I came back from surgery, now in my own hospital room and spent the night there with my mom. It was April 14, 2009 and my parents get called out of the room to speak with an oncologist. I couldn’t hear what they were saying but I saw my parents crying. They came back two minutes later and I finally knew what was wrong.…
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Exposure to ultraviolet radiation seems to play a large role in the development of this disease. Intermittent, intense sun exposure, especially as a child or teenager can put someone at high risk for developing melanoma. It has been shown that melanoma is more common among white collar workers than individuals whose work is based primarily outdoors, suggesting that fluorescent lighting may increase risk for the disease. UV radiation from indoor tanning equipment has also shown to increase the risk. A weakened immune system plays a role. Family history increases the likelihood of…
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