Melanoma

New factor to control oncogene-induced senescence

An article published on the journal Nature describes the major role that Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) —an enzyme of cellular energy metabolism— plays in the regulation of the cellular senescence induce ...

Cancer created 10 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Inflammatory bowel disease raises risk of melanoma

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at higher risk of melanoma, a form of skin cancer, report researchers at Mayo Clinic. Researchers found that IBD is associated with a 37 percent greater risk for the disease. ...

Inflammatory disorders created May 20, 2013 | popularity 4 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Study of young Israelis emphasizes need for avoidance of sun exposure for the very young

A new study conducted using extensive medical records of over one million Israeli adolescents before military service shows clearly how exposure to the Israeli sun of young, light-skinned children increases substantially ...

Cancer created May 20, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

ASCO: combo antibody therapy effective for melanoma

(HealthDay)—Concurrent use of two immune checkpoint antibodies—ipilimumab and nivolumab—may be effective for the treatment of advanced melanoma, according to a proof-of-principal study presented in ...

Cancer created May 17, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

New drug may help immune system fight cancer

(HealthDay)—An experimental drug that taps the power of the body's immune system to fight cancer is shrinking tumors in patients for whom other treatments have failed, an early study shows.

Cancer created May 16, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Cancer diagnosis puts people at greater risk for bankruptcy

People diagnosed with cancer are more than two-and-a-half times more likely to declare bankruptcy than those without cancer, according to a new study from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Researchers also found that ...

Cancer created May 15, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Skin cancer may be linked to lower risk of Alzheimer's disease

People who have skin cancer may be less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, according to new research published in the May 15, 2013, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The li ...

Alzheimer's disease & dementia created May 15, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Animals in research: Zebrafish

Zebrafish are probably not the first creatures that come to mind when it comes to animals that are valuable for medical research.

Medical research created May 10, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Red hair pigment might raise melanoma risk, study says

(HealthDay)—The red in redheads' hair is thought to put them at increased risk of the dangerous skin cancer melanoma, even if they don't spend a lot of time in the sun, according to a new study.

Cancer created May 09, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 2 | with audio podcast

Discovery of gene mutation causing Sturge-Weber syndrome, port-wine stain birthmarks offers new hope

In new findings published on May 8, 2013 in the New England Journal of Medicine (Epub ahead of print), researchers from the Kennedy Krieger Institute reveal the discovery of the cause – a genetic mutation that occurs before ...

Genetics created May 08, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

New drug targets skin cancer

A new class of drug targeting skin cancer's genetic material has been successfully tested in humans for the first time, opening the way to new treatments for a range of conditions from skin cancers to eye ...

Cancer created May 07, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Promising strategies to reduce use of indoor tanning devices and prevent skin cancer

Preventing skin cancer by reducing use of indoor tanning devices requires a coordinated approach at the national, state, and local levels suggests a pair of papers by CDC authors in a special theme issue of the American Jo ...

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FDA wants cancer warnings for tanning beds

Indoor tanning beds would carry new warnings about the risk of cancer and be subject to additional regulations, under a proposal unveiled by the Food and Drug Administration.

Health created May 06, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Scientists discover new target for personalized cancer therapy

A common cancer pathway causing tumor growth is now being targeted by a number of new cancer drugs and shows promising results. A team of researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have developed a ...

Cancer created May 02, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Surgery for nonfatal skin cancers might not be best for elderly patients

Surgery is often recommended for skin cancers, but older, sicker patients can endure complications as a result and may not live long enough to benefit from the treatment.

Cancer created Apr 29, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 1


Melanoma i/ˌmɛləˈnoʊmə/ (from Greek μέλας - melas, "dark") is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce the dark pigment, melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin. They predominantly occur in skin, but are also found in other parts of the body, including the bowel and the eye (see uveal melanoma). Melanoma can occur in any part of the body that contains melanocytes.

Melanoma is less common than other skin cancers. However, it is much more dangerous and causes the majority (75%) of deaths related to skin cancer. Worldwide, doctors diagnose about 160,000 new cases of melanoma yearly. The diagnosis is more frequent in women than in men and is particularly common among Caucasians living in sunny climates, with high rates of incidence in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Latin America, and northern Europe. According to a WHO report, about 48,000 melanoma related deaths occur worldwide per year.

The treatment includes surgical removal of the tumor, adjuvant treatment, chemo- and immunotherapy, or radiation therapy. The chance of a cure is greatest when the tumor is discovered while it is still small and thin, and can be entirely removed surgically.

This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.

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