Melanoma

Intro

• Tumor of melanin-forming cells
• Associated with skin cancer
• Common on chest, legs, and back
• Less common in African Americans

Description

• Serious skin cancer
• Found mainly in moles
• Developed in existing ones

Symptoms

• A sore that isn't healing
• Spreading of pigment
• Redness or swelling
• Itchiness, tenderness, pain
• Change in mole surface

Causes

• Excessive sun exposure
• Moles
• Skin types
• Genetics
• Weakened immune system

Prevention

• Avoid the high sun!
• Always wear sunscreen!
• Wear protective clothing!
• TANNING BEDS? NO!!!

Treatment

• Surgical removal
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Biological therapy (substances from living organisms)
• Targeted therapy

Diagnosing

• Skin exams
• Punch biopsy
• Excisional biopsy
• Incisional biopsy
• Determining the thickness

Current Reasearch: Immunotherapy

Works Cited