Melanoma Skin Cancer Research Paper

     Distinguishing melanoma may seem hard to do, but is not so once a person is informed on what they should be looking for. They may appear similar to moles, and may be blue or black in color. Though they will usually lack the symmetry and border regularity of a common mole, and may have variance in their coloring. Melanomas can either appear suddenly, or develop slowly near a preexisting mole. In rare cases, melanomas may form on top of previously formed moles or birthmarks, but will also come with the effects of pain, itching, or bleeding. These moles may begin to exhibit new and/or strange characteristics such as

Structurally the skin consists of three separate layers 1) Epidermis 2) Dermis 3) subcutaneous tissue.

These brown coloured cancerous growths develop when unrepaired DNA has committed damage to the body’s skin cells. It is known that it is the most commonly triggered by vigorous amounts of sunshine, over excessive use of tanning bed and UV lights which result in making mutations in the skin that produces the skin cells to over multiply at a quick rate which can eventually form nasty tumours.

The Integumentary system is defined as “an organ system consisting in the skin, hair, nails, and exocrine glands” (Integumentary System, 1999). This systems main purpose is to protect the body from the environment around it. The skin covers and protects tissues, nerves, veins, and muscles of the body. The hair and nails give extra strength in reinforcing the skin while keeping the body warm and protecting the skin from harmful UV rays. The exocrine glands of the skin include the sudoriferous glands, sebaceous glands, and the ceruminous glands. Each exocrine gland has a different function as well as location in the skin. The following text will explain the effects of melanoma on the integumentary system.

Although there are several types of skin cancer, the most aggressive form is melanoma. This cancer of the skin involves mass replication of the pigment producing melanocyte cells, which are located in the epidermis, below the basal layer. There are several factors involved with the onset of melanoma including, exposure to ultraviolet rays, genetic predisposition, numerous nevi (moles), immunosuppression, and environmental exposure to carcinogens.

The three layers that make up healthy skin: Epidermis, Dermis and Hypodermis. Epidermis is composed of keratinized, stratified squamous epithelium. This layer provides a thick, water proof protective covering over the underlying skins. The dermis layer is composed of primarily of dense, irregular, fibrous connective tissue that is rich in collagen and elastin. The dermis contains blood vessels, nerve ending, and epidermally derived cutaneous oranges such as sweat glands, sebaceous glands and hair follicles. The last layer is Hypodermis this layer is composed primarily of loose dead skin. The fat layer provides cushioning and insulation for

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 serious type of skin cancer. You can get melanoma from the sun, it can be genetic or from tanning beds. Melanoma is mostly on skin, but also found in eyes, under nails, and sometimes found in organs. It’s increasing to a lot of people under the age of 40, especially women. Melanoma can be in many places. Next, the sun and tanning bed increase your chances

Melanoma is for the most part observed in more seasoned men yet as far back as tanning came in amid the 1970's, it has expanded in ladies 60 percent around the ages 15-29 in the course of recent decades. "What's more, basal cell and squamous cell growths are expanding at a rate of around 5 percent for each year". Skin Cancer is brought about by inherited elements, overexposure to the sun, and frail insusceptible frameworks. One reason individuals have a tendency to get skin disease is the point at which somebody in your family has passed their qualities down to you, known as inherited. Typically inherited is one of the causes in the improvement of melanoma. For a wide range of skin tumors, overexposure of the skin to UV radiation in daylight is the most as often as possible faulted wellspring of skin malignancy. "Consider recommends that sunburns got at a very early stage in one's adolescence can prompt skin disease further down the road”. For instance, when somebody gets sunburned, you generally don't know till ten to a quarter century and that is the reason individuals don't get skin disease till they achieve their

Superficial spreading melanoma is the most common type. This type is most common in Caucasians, is usually irregular in shape, and has different shades of black and brown. Nodular melanoma is the second most common type and usually begins as a raised area that is dark blackish-blue or bluish-red. Lentigo maligna melanoma is usually seen in the elderly. This type is rare and is most common in sun-damaged skin on your face, neck, and arms. This last type of melanoma is very rare it is known as Acral lentiginous melanoma and it usually occurs on palms, sole of feet, or under the

This disease is present in individuals from all age groups and it is not particular to either gender. Furthermore, malignant melanoma develops after chemical substances have damaged melanocytes by prolonged exposure to sunlight or UV light causing the epidermis to change in color, size and shape. This disease affects several organs and its deteriorating effect disrupts homeostasis and allows other viruses and diseases to weaken the body and cause greater discomfort and pain, which eventually may lead to death. Although the incidence of malignant carcinoma is increasing yearly, it can be diagnosed in its early stages and treated by means of surgical excision. Its ugly and irregular form in addition to redness, inflammation and swelling produced around nevi distinguishes melanoma. If the cancer has progressed to its more advanced stages, radiotherapy or chemotherapy is used to combat the disease. Steps taken to prevent such fatal cancer are simple and for the most part do not require medication. Among these steps avoiding excessive exposure to light, whether natural or artificial, seems to decrease the chances of developing cancer. There are genetic factors, however, that predispose humans to the onset of

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.

May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. Did you know you can use CAPTUREPROOF to create a visual health record of moles and skin discoloration?

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 mole or freckle, which subsequently grow and transform into cancerous lesions. The most lethal type of skin cancer, melanoma is often a direct result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun (Ignatavicius, 2016).