Melanoma (cutaneous)

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Melanoma

NIH - Medical Encyclopedia Melanoma

"Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It involves the cells that produce pigment (melanin), which is responsible for skin and hair color. Melanoma can also involve the pigmented portion of the eye. … The primary symptom of any skin cancer is usually a mole, sore, lump, or growth on the skin. Any change in appearance of a pigmented skin lesion over time is a warning sign. Also, watch for any bleeding from a skin growth. The ABCD system may help you remember features that might be a symptom of melanoma: Asymmetry: One half of the abnormal area is different from the other half. Borders: The lesion or growth has irregular edges. Color: Color is varied from one area to another, with shades of tan, brown, or black (sometimes white, red, or blue). A mixture of colors may appear within one lesion. Diameter: The trouble spot is usually (but not always) larger than 6 mm in diameter -- about the size of a pencil eraser.

If you notice any suspicious skin markings, see your health care provider as soon as possible."

Highlighted Articles

Partner Assistance Improves Skin Self-Examination for Detecting Melanoma

"Teaching people skin self-examination (SSE) with their partner rather than alone significantly improves the likelihood that the person will perform SSE and find problematic lesions, according to the results of a randomized controlled trial reported in the January issue of Archives of Dermatology. The article reviews ABCDE (asymmetry of shape, border irregularity, color variegation, diameter = 6 mm or higher, and evolution of the lesion) rules for examining moles and notes that 50% of melanomas are discovered by patients themselves."

Comparison of risk patterns in carcinoma and melanoma of the skin in men: a multi-centre case-case-control study. (Br J Cancer. 2006)

"… Subjects with fair hair had a significant risk increase for all types of tumours ... The effect of pale eyes was significant … Intermittent sun exposure measured in hours spent at beach during holidays was significant … and number of naevi …"

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Melanoma

General Information

NEWS:

Research Shows Incidence of Melanoma on the Rise

ARTICLES:

JOURNAL ARTICLES:

Association between the anatomic distribution of melanoma and sex. (J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007)

Baseline psychosocial predictors of survival in localized melanoma. (J Psychosom Res. 2007) "CONCLUSION: Anger nonexpression, hopelessness, and overpositive reporting of QOL-all proposed to include in the Type C response style or reflect emotional nonexpression-seem to comprise a set of factors that reduce survival, whereas denial/minimizing response to the diagnosis as such predicts longer survival."

Brain metastases of malignant melanoma in Chinese: report of 23 cases. (Chin Med J (Engl). 2007)

Changes in the site distribution of malignant melanoma in South East Scotland (1979-2002). (Br J Cancer. 2007) "Incidence increased significantly over time with females having a higher incidence rate than males. In both sexes, the proportion of cases seen on the posterior trunk and arm increased significantly (P<0.001), but declines were seen in the proportion of leg tumours in males (P=0.09) and of head tumours in females (P=0.011). Although the proportion of cases decreased for certain sites, the actual MM incidence increased at all sites."

Detailed site distribution of melanoma and sunlight exposure: aetiological patterns from a Swiss series. (Ann Oncol. 2007) "RESULTS: Sites of highest risks were the face, shoulder and upper arm for both sexes, the back for men, and leg for women."

Identification of high-risk patients among those diagnosed with thin cutaneous melanomas. (J Clin Oncol. 2007) "CONCLUSION: Prognostication and related clinical decision making in the majority of patients with melanoma can be improved now using the validated, SEER-based classification. Tumor cell mitotic rate should be incorporated into the next iteration of AJCC staging."

Left-sided excess of invasive cutaneous melanoma in six countries. (Eur J Cancer. 2007)

[Longitudinal study of different metastatic patterns in the progression of cutaneous melanoma.] (Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2007)

Malignant melanoma in the 21st century, part 1: epidemiology, risk factors, screening, prevention, and diagnosis. (Mayo Clin Proc. 2007)

Melanoma in the young: Differences and similarities with adult melanoma: a case-matched controlled analysis. (Cancer. 2007)

Melanoma incidence and mortality in Scotland 1979-2003. (Br J Cancer. 2007) "Over the 25 years, melanoma mortality doubled in males from 1.1 to 2.4/10(5) per year, but was unchanged in females at 1.5/10(5) per year. Public education on melanoma is required both for primary prevention and earlier diagnosis, particularly for older males."

Melanomas arising from naevi and de novo melanomas - does origin matter? (Br J Dermatol. 2007) "Conclusions This prospective study shows that naevi that undergo malignant change may result in melanomas that are thicker and thus potentially have a worse prognosis than de novo melanomas. Although our results were not statistically significant when other risk factors were also taken into account, it is possible that a larger study would identify a significant association."

Natural history of invasive cutaneous melanoma in Styria, Austria 2001-2003. (J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2007)

Prognostic factors and impact of treatment in melanoma brain metastases: better prognosis for women? (Dermatology. 2007)

[Regression in primary cutaneous melanoma is not predictive for sentinel lymph node micrometastasis.] (Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2007)

Serum angiogenin levels predict treatment response in patients with stage IV melanoma. (Clin Exp Metastasis. 2007)

The density and distribution of melanocytes adjacent to melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers. (Dermatol Surg. 2007) "CONCLUSIONS There is a high degree of variability in melanocyte densities seen adjacent to melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers. Contiguous melanocytes, atypical melanocytes, and follicular melanocytes can be seen in the sun-damaged skin surrounding both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers, but especially with melanoma. Because some of the features of melanoma in situ can be seen in chronically sun-damaged skin, the Mohs surgeon should be cautious when assessing the margins for melanoma in this setting."

The influence of marital status on stage at diagnosis and survival of older persons with melanoma. (J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2007) "CONCLUSION: Older widowed persons were more likely to be diagnosed at late stage and to die from melanoma than were older married persons."

The prevention, diagnosis, referral and management of melanoma of the skin: concise guidelines. (Clin Med. 2007)

Thick melanoma: the problem continues. (J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2007)

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