Melanoma

By Libby Walker, Jessica Morehouse, Rebecca Jurovich, Ashley Leonard

What Is Melanoma, How Do You Get It?

• A cancerous disease that infects the skin.

• Can occur in all layers, depending on the type of melanoma.

• It is hereditary and can be acquired through UV ray exposure.

• Mitosis of cancerous cells is rapid and will take over

• Most severe type of skin cancer.

Types of Melanoma

• Superficial Spreading• Nodular Melanoma• Lentigo Maligna• Acral Lentiginous

Superficial Spreading Melanoma

• Most common• Irregular in shape and

color• In the dermal-

epidermal junction• Can migrate into

stratum granulosum or stratum corneum

Nodular Melanoma

• Raised area that is dark blackish-blue or blueish-red

• Vertical growth into the dermis

Lentigo Maligna Melanoma

• Typical in the elderly• Common in sun

damaged skin• In epidermis and dermis

Acral Lentiginous Melanoma

• least common• palms, soles, under

nails

Signs

• A mole that:– Changes in size, shape, or

color– Irregular edges– More than one color– Bleeds, oozes– Asymmetry– Changes in appearance– Develops satalites

Symptoms• Pain around effected area

Prevention

• Sunscreen– High quality (SPF)– A lot of it!– Blocks both UVA and UVB light rays– Waterproof

• Avoid reflective surfaces• Examine skin once a month• Go to the doctor’s• Avoid exposure between 10 AM and 4 PM

Treatment

• Chemotherapy• Immunotherapy• Radiation treatments• Surgery

Who it Effects• People over 40• Mostly women• Most likely to effect people with:– Fair skin– Blue or green eyes– Red or blonde hair– Live in sunny climates or high altitudes– Tanning habits– Had 1 or more blistering sunburns as a child– A family history

Works Cited• http://www.cancer.com/• http://www.emedicine.medscape.com/article/1295718-ov

erview (article)

• http://www.health.harvard.edu (article)• U. S. National Library of Medicine- The World’s Largest

Medical Library (article)• http://www.dermis.net/dermisroot/en/17746/image.htm• http://www.dermis.net/dermisroot/en/1257543/

image.htm• http://www.dermis.net/dermisroot/en/23157/image.htm• http://melanoma.surgery.ucsf.edu/conditions--

procedures/melanoma.aspx