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Melanoma

Description

It is also known as malignant melanoma. It is a type of skin cancer that develops from melanocytes (they are pigment-producing cells). They mostly occur in the skin but may also rarely occur in the intestine, mouth, or eye (uveal melanoma). They occur on legs in females, and on the back in males. Almost 25% of melanomas start from moles. Changes such as mole increase in size, change in color, irregular edges, itchiness, or skin breakdown indicate melanoma.

The primary cause of melanoma is said to be UV exposure (ultraviolet) in those with low levels of melanin pigment. UV light from the sun or other sources like tanning devices can be involved. However, using sunscreen & avoiding UV light will help prevent melanoma. Its treatment typically involves surgical removal. Most people are cured by treatment interventions if its spread has not occurred in a large area.

Causes

Its causes include:

  • DNA damage caused by UV light exposure from sun, tanning lamps & beds.
  • Genetics
  • Environmental factors
Risk factors

Its risk factors include:

  • Fair skin (means having less melanin pigment that protects from UV damage)
  • History of sunburn
  • Excessive exposure to ultraviolet light
  • Living closer to earth’s equator
  • Having more than 50 moles
  • Family history of melanoma
  • Immune system is weak
Symptoms

They mostly occur in areas with more exposure to the sun like the back, legs, arms & face. They may also develop on areas with less UV exposure like soles of feet, palms & fingernail beds.

Its symptoms often show:

  • Change in an existing mole
  • Development of pigmented or unusual-looking growth on the skin
  • Nodular melanoma i.e. appearance of a new lump anywhere on the skin
  • Mole itch, ulcerate & bleed
  • Metastatic melanoma symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting & fatigue.
Diagnosis

Its diagnosis involves:

  • Physical examination of skin for signs
  • Biopsy (removing sample of tissue for testing)
Management

Melanoma treatment may involve:

  • Surgery is a standard treatment option
  • Skin graft if melanoma covers large skin area
  • Lymph node biopsy (cancer spread to lymph nodes)
  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy (target cancer cells)
  • Immunotherapy (medicines that work with the immune system)
  • Targeted therapy (target particular genes or proteins)
When to consult a doctor?

You should regularly check your skin & if you notice above mentioned symptoms then consult a doctor immediately. Its early diagnosis will increase the chances of successful treatment.

Available Medicine for Melanoma

Anferon 3MIU

Rs.900

CCL

Anferon 3MIU

Rs.600

CCL

Bioferon 3MIU

Rs.700

Segionior

Bioferon 5MIU

Rs.1003

Segionior

Ceron 3MIU

Rs.646

Biocare

Ceron 5MIU

Rs.1080

Biocare

Heberon 5MIU

Rs.1543.8

Macter

INF 3MIU

Rs.450

Ferozsons

Interlong 3MIU

Rs.650

Accurate

Interlong 5MIU

Rs.1100

Accurate

Laifulong 3MIU

Rs.600

High-Q

PDFeron-B 3MIU

Rs.600

Nextar

PDFeron-B 5MIU

Rs.1000

Nextar

Prolfer 3MIU

Rs.608.58

Zafa

Qferon 3MIU

Rs.600

Bosch

Refron 3MIU

Rs.470.59

Global-Vision

Uniferon 3 MIU

Rs.398

Getz Pharma

Uniferon 5 MIU

Rs.1316

Getz Pharma

Uniron 3MIU

Rs.600

Accurate