The Skin Cancer: Melanoma Research Paper

The Skin Cancer: Melanoma

Michael Wallace
Biology 127.03
16 October 2014

RUNNING HEAD: What is melanoma and why is it important?
A mole usually has uniform color and an even shape and it is typically no larger in diameter than 6 mm or the size of a pencil’s eraser. A malignant melanoma, on the other hand, forms a large, flat, spreading lesion. Moles usually have a smooth outline, whereas melanomas have a uneven outline. Usually, one side looks different from the other, the contour is not uniform, and it is a mixture of brown, black, tan, and sometimes red and blue. They are also more likely to bleed because of increased blood flow 1. It is important to surgically excise and examine this mole because the only way to properly diagnose…show more content…
There is a challenge predicting which moles or tumors will metastasize, partly because of the cell’s high ability to move spontaneously and actively and also due to the plastic nature of melanocytes. A melanoma can also be formed from existing mole on the body. If this melanoma metastasizes to other parts of the body, it can be fatal for the patient 2. The different levels of a melanoma refer to the extent of the cancer. Tumor thickness, melanoma cell location, and whether the melanoma cells have metastasized all play a role in determining the stage of melanoma. Level I states that the melanocytic cells are stationary at the tumor. They are less than 1 mm thick. To treat this, the tumor and some surrounding skin tissues are removed. Level II states that the melanoctytic cells are between 1-2mm thick and its melanocytic cells have not spread to any lymph nodes or other organs. It has the same procedure to treat the tumor as Level I. Level III states that the tumor can vary in thickness but the melanocytic cancerous cells have spread to nearby lymph nodes or to some tissue just outside the tumor. To treat this, the tumor and lymph nodes are removed and the patient may need additional treatment. Level IV states that the cancerous cells have…show more content…
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Melanoma: Cases Reported vs Deaths

As you can see in the graph above, the number of melanoma cases rises exponentially while the deaths remain more constant. This shows that the treatment methods for melanoma are effective in stopping the cancer. 6
REFERENCES

1. Saladin, Kenneth. Human Anatomy. 4th Edition. Miramar, Fl. McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math. March 15, 2013

2. Bonsenberg M, Aplin AE, Arnheiter H. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. 2013.

3. Edmonds, Molly. "What is apoptosis?" 31 March 2010. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/apoptosis.htm> 17 October 2014.

4. Melanoma of the skin. In: Edge SB, Byrd DR, Compton CC, : AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 7th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2010, pp 325-44.

5. Cutaneous Melanoma: Prognostic Factors. Homsi J, Kashani-Sabet M, Messina J. 2005