Computer Aided Dermatology

Melanoma Melanoma is a malignant tumor that arises from pigment-producing skin cells termed melanocytes. When the cell division of these melanocytes becomes unregulated, they begin to divide and multiply too rapidly. This results in a cancerous overgrowth of these pigmented cells. Melanomas most frequently begin as a benign

Unlike other cancers which we can develop, melanoma can often be detected on the skin which allows doctors to treat it at its early stages resulting in less complications and lower death rates to patients, again if left undetected at its early stages this can easily spread to distant areas and distant organs. Once melanoma has spread to other areas of the body which is classified as stage IV it is diagnosed as

There is insufficient evidence to determine how gene expression profiling may be used to guide clinical decisions related to the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous melanoma. Specifically, it is not known how or whether decisions concerning treatment and surveillance are improved over the current standard of care, and it is unknown whether health outcomes are improved as a result those decisions. Further, the clinical practice guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommend against routine prognostic testing for low versus high metastatic risk outside of clinical trials. Thus, the use of DecisionDX Melanoma gene expression profile testing is considered investigational for guiding clinical decisions related to the diagnosis and treatment of any condition.

Melanoma being the austere form of skin cancer which can be fatal in most cases. Mayo Clinic’s article on the diseases and conditions of melanoma gives good clarity as to what is actually occurring, and how it forms. The article states that what causes melanoma is unclear and hasn’t been discovered but what takes place is the melanocytes that generate melanin cells is agitated by unknown causes which results in the change in pigmentation of the skin or a change in a current mole already present on the skin. Strategies that can help you detect the symptoms of melanoma consist of the letters “A- E meaning A: asymmetrical shape regarding moles, B: irregular boarders, C: change in color, D: diameter, and E: evolving” (Mayo Clinic Staff 2016) Melanoma can appear not only on the skin but underneath a person’s nail, it can affect their eyesight and rarely their internal organs such as the mouth, urinary tract, and digestive tract called mucosal melanoma. These are noted to be hidden

Also, MelaFind technology doesn't seem to have an impact on access to care, but it promotes patient safety and quality of care by offering dermatologists an advanced new tool to be more accurate in the detection and biopsy phases of early melanoma detection. Additionally, MelaFind uses actual quantitative data regarding a lesion, providing real time data. Simply put, the feedback is in the form of light inputs, processed by an algorithm. Resulting in an enlarged detailed image of the area in question. And, usage

The Facts on Acral Lentiginous Melanoma Acral Lentiginous Melanoma or ALM is a rare subtype of melanoma that occurs more often in people of color. It accounts for 2 to 3 percent of the all of the world’s cases of melanoma (Bradford). Dr. R. J. Reed in 1976 was the first to describe it as the appearance of dark lesions on the hands and feet. Radial or lentiginous was the main phase of its growth that lasts several years then it changes into a vertical or dermal invasive stage (Bradford). Several universities have released results on tests on ALM but since it is rare it was difficult for the research groups to get solid information because of small sample sizes. Nonetheless, studies by scientists such as Dr. R. J. Reed we able to determine that the survival rate for three years with the melanoma was on average at 11% (Bradford).

The Procedure of Cutaneous Melanoma Surveillance Using Comparison to Baseline Total Cutaneous Photographic images (NISHP) A Cost-Effective Method to Prevent Lethal 'rumors and Reduce Unnecessary Skin Biopsies The care of patients who have cutaneous melanoma (CM) has undergone a dramatic shift during the past 5 decades. Excision of pre-metastatic; CM has been the overriding goal. because once distant metastases have occurred. prognosis is dismal. Skin awareness and self-examination by patients. screening examinations of the skin, nails, and mucous membranes by physicians, and careful long-term Surveillance of patients determined in be al high risk for CM 'based on identifiable historic and phenotypic traits are having an immediate positive impact on CM. related mortality and CM-related case. fatality rate.

Malignant melanoma of the nail apparatus is extremely rare but there have been a few cases reported. It seems that almost half of the population that has been diagnosed with this disease has been misdiagnosed or did not receive the proper treatment to cure the disease. Since the cases are easily misdiagnosed, fatality is usually the outcome for most. Survival rate of this particular disease in recent studies has shown that humans live on average five years after being diagnosed with melanoma of the nail. The disease can affect either the upper or lower nail extremities. The scientist tested seven people, three males and four females, to see how this disease effects each of the patients.

Research Project Outline Introduction Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer, causing up to 75% cancer-related deaths and is usually occurs due to exposure to UV rays of the sun. The chances are increased with sunburn episodes especially during childhood. It developed from the pigment cells known as melanocytes, a layer of cells producing melanin which protects against the damaging rays of the sun. Sometimes, these pigment cells increase in size and become cancerous melanoma. It didn’t show any particular symptoms, however, it is related to the changes associated with moles, gives ‘ABCDE’ warning signs i.e. Asymmetry, irregular Border, uneven Colour, Diameter, evolution.

It arises from the melanocytes. Melanomas often resemble moles and it is very important to know the difference between the two. Melanomas are usually black or brown but can also be skin-colored. They form a large flat spreading lesion with a rough border. On the contrary, a mole usually has an organized color and even contour, and no longer than the end of a pencil eraser (6mm). The greatest risk factor is those who are genetically predisposed to the disease. It occurs more in men, redheads, and severe UV exposure experiencing severe sunburn as in childhood. An oncogene called BRAF is responsible for ⅔ of cases of melanoma in men although it does not appear to trigger melanoma in woman although it has been connected to some breast cancer and ovarian cancer in women. The BRAF mutation is commonly found in moles. To recognize melanoma The American Cancer Society created an “ABCD rule”: A for asymmetry-irregular shape; B for border irregularity-not smooth but wavy, wrinkled, scalloped or rough. C for Color- black, brown, skin colored-tan, and even sometimes red or blue; and D for diameter greater than 6mm. The survival rate of metastatic melanoma is slim with the average patient living only 6 months after diagnosis and only around 5-14% surviving after 5 years (Saladin,

Early detection of melanoma can save many lives and lead to minor cancers (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2009). Patient skin self-examination (SSE), physician-directed total-body skin exams (TBSE), and patient education are the best methods to early detection (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2009). These ways and methods can also help detect cutaneous melanoma, basal cell cancer, and squamous cell skin cancer (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2009). In order to early detect yourself or conduct any screenings, you must know the signs and symptoms of Melanoma. The most common signs are the different kinds of moles: a growing, an unsually looking mole on the skin, and a non-uniform mole which has an odd shape and colors (American Academy of Dermatology, 2015). Another important rule to always follow when looking for signs for this skin cancer is the ABCDE rule (American Cancer Society, 2015). A is for Symmetry, this means that one half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other. B is for Border, the edges are irregular, ragged, or blurred. C is for Color: the color is not always same; it may be different shades of colors. D is for Diameter: the spot is larger than 6 millimeters across. Finally E is for Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, or color (American Cancer Society,

Vitiligo is a common acquired skin disorder characterized by loss of pigmentation that results in hypomelanotic macules. Typically, the disease has an unpredictable course in which, due to unknown triggers, there is burst of activity with progress of the hypomelanotic lesions.1 Active state of vitiligo is defined as the extension of existing lesion and/or appearance of new lesion within the last year.2 Since reversal to original skin color is unusual, a rapid arrest of the spread of the lesion is the clinical goal in active vitiligo.1 In this scenario, tools that assess disease stability become important to determine the length of treatment. There is a need for development of a marker that monitors the disease prospectively, and sheds light

Informative Speech Outline Topic: Skin Cancer Thesis: Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States but is highly curable if detected early and treated properly.

Basal cell carcinoma is one of, if not the most, common malignant skin cancer amongst Caucasians. Based on research conducted by the American Cancer Society, this specific type of cancer accounts for just about “80 percent of all non-melanoma skin cancers”(Rubin, Chen, and Ratner 2262). Rates in the U.S. are

What is facial skin mapping? Facial skin mapping is an ages-old technique derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda practices. This technique divides the facial skin into “zones,” which ancient medical practitioners (and skin experts of today) evaluate to determine underlying health problems, such