Melanoma Skin Cancer: A Case Study

The submitted records have been reviewed. The member is an adult female with a birth date of 07/01/1987. She has a diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma. Her treating provider, Semyon Zarkhin, MD recommended DecisionDX Melanoma testing, which was performed on 11/23/2015.

Melanoma is a dangerous invasive cancer which starts in melanin producing cells (melanocytes) usually located at the bottom of the skins epidermal layer. Although certain individuals have a genetic propensity for melanoma, it is usually triggered by excessive UV exposure from sunlight or tanning beds (Mayo Clinic, 2016a). At early stages it is relatively easy to treat, however, recurrences are common. At later stages melanoma treatments are less effective since it tends to metastasize and spread easily through the lymphatic system (Mayo Clinic, 2016a).. The root cause of malignant melanoma is due to mutations in the p53 gene protein which invariably leads to further mutations.

Melanoma is a malignant condition arising from melanocytes in the basal layer of the skin. Melanocytes are the cells that produce melanin, which gives skin its pigmentation and shields the deeper layers of skin from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation. When skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation, melanocytes increase their production of melanin, which generates darker pigmentation of the skin. Ultraviolet radiation stimulates malignant changes within the melanocytes by mutating DNA, stimulating cutaneous growth factors, decreases immune defenses, and promotes species of melanin that cause DNA impairment and suppress apoptosis. The abnormalities caused by ultraviolet radiation in the melanocytes predispose it to

Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It develops when unrepaired DNA damage to your skin cells trigger genetic defects that lead you skin cells to multiply at a fast pace and form tumors. Melanoma can often resemble moles and some can come from previous moles. These melanoma moles can range in color from pink, red, brown, purple, white, blue and skin-colored, but more mostly seen as black or brown. It’s said that consumers who use indoor ultraviolent tanning devices are seven-four percent more likely to develop melanoma compared to someone who has never used a tanning bed before. Melanoma is usually caused from intense and over exposure to UV radiation. It has be estimated to kill around 10,000 individuals in the U.S. each year. The lifetime risk of melanoma is 1.5 times higher in males than in females. Melanoma is curable, if it is recognized early and

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.

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.

Melanoma can be anywhere on your body. Moles, warts, or even a sun burn can lead to melanoma. Melanoma is a form of cancer that begins in melanocytes, cells in the skin that produce the brown color known as melanin. These are the cells that darken when exposed to the sun, a protective response to protect the deeper layers of the skin from the harmful effects of the sun.

Malignant melanoma is the most commonly seen skin cancer and it has the highest number of deaths among diseases of the skin (Friedman, Rigel, Kopf and Polsky, 2005). Among the many factors that cause this cutaneous cancer genetic modifications, viruses, carcinogens and excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays are the most commonly occurring (Friedman, Rigel, Kopf and Polsky, 2005). Malignant melanoma affects all areas of the skin and the disease forms in melanocytes, which are the cells in which pigments (melanin) are synthesized (Melanoma Treatment). The cancer has its origin in the epidermis and affect squamous and basal cells. The disease usually affects the trunk, arms and legs but can also be present in the eye, affecting the

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,

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

Normal moles will usually have an even color to it which will usually be tan, light or dark brown, pink and

"The rates of skin cancer have expanded consistently since the 1920s uncovers the risk of the American fixation on getting a "solid" tan. Skin tumor is an infection where growth (harmful) cells are found on the external layer of the skin (epidermis). The three sorts of cells found in the epidermis are squamous cells, basal cells, and melanocytes. These cells in time develop to be carcinogenic. Consequently, the three sorts of skin tumors are squamous cell, basal cell, and melanoma. Melanoma is the deadliest and dangerous kind of growth. The quantity of individuals with melanoma has ascended in Scotland from 3.5 in 1979 to 10.6 for each 100,000 in 1998 for men and 7.0 to 13.1 for ladies. (Mill operator 945) Squamous cell and Basal cell skin

Any type of change size, color, or shape of a mole is an important warning sign. For weeks or months, watch the changes that occur. The ABCDE rule is a helpful rule to estimate skin changes. A is asymmetry. If one half of a mole does not match the other have there is no symmetry. B is border irregularity. Jagged, uneven, or blurred edges of a mole should catch your attention. C is color. Changes in the mole color, particularly from the edge of the mole to the middle. D is for the diameter. If the mole is larger than 6mm the mole should be of concern. E is evolution. Changes in the surface size and shape, as well as itching or tenderness should be observed. Often time’s melanoma is developed in unmarked skin, but can also develop in existing moles or birthmarks (“Melanoma and Skin Cancer Symptoms”). Skin examinations should be an often routine provided by a doctor. Any notice of suspicious signs, see a health care provider as quick as possible. Examinations by a dermatologist are a potential way to see if you have developed skin cancer. If during the examination skin cancer is suspected a biopsy will probably be the next process (Knight).

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,

C. Melanoma Skin Cancer is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, it kills one person per hour, these cancerous growths are most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds. These tumors originate in the pigment-producing melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis. Melanoma is caused mainly by intense, occasional UV exposure (frequently leading to sunburn), especially in those who are genetically predisposed to the disease. Often the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, shape, color or feel of a mole.