Question 1

is melanoma fatal if it spread to lungs and groin?

Accepted Answer

Melanoma: Melanoma with secondaries has a poor prognosis.

Question 2

what is melanoma?

Accepted Answer

Skin cancer: Which arises from melanocytes, which are the cells in the skin which give it color.  For this reason, melanomas are often dark colored on the skin (but some are not). Search on the abcd's of melanoma to learn how to spot a melanoma (or see the image).  Melanomas are dangerous because even a small cancer can metastasize.  However, caught early enough, they are curable.

Question 3

is melanoma transmissible?

Accepted Answer

No: Cancer is not a contagious disease.

Question 4

what are the risk factors for melanoma?

Accepted Answer

Multiple: Melanoma risk factors include fair skin, history of sunburns, excessive uv exposure such as from tanning beds, living near the equator or at higher elevations, many (>50) moles or unusual moles, family history of melanoma, and weakened immune system.  We can reduce our risk by reducing sun exposure and observe sun safe practices.

Question 5

please im desperate i think i have a melanoma?

Accepted Answer

At your age unlikely: Although melanoma is uncommon in a woman your age you should have a physician look at the area in question

Question 6

what are the types of tumors for melanoma?

Accepted Answer

4 main types: Most melanomas are called superficial spreading.  Theyt tend to start by growing in the top planes of the skin and then go deeper.  Nodular melanomas begin their vertical growth phase (burrowing deeper) earlier.  Lentigo maligna are often on the face in the elderly and may be large.  Acral lentiginous melanomas begin in fingers or toes and sometimes in the nonpigmented areas in dark-skinned people.

Question 7

what exactly is a melanoma?

Accepted Answer

Cancer of skin: Melanoma is the worst form of the three common type of skin cancers.  These arise due to genetic susceptibility and sun exposure.  Generally the lesions are pigmented, but not always.  If a mole changes color, becomes bigger, or bleeds it should be checked out.  For more info go to this site. Asap.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/pmh0001853/.

Question 8

is melanoma hereditary? how?

Accepted Answer

Melanoma: I know of no genetic predisposition to melanoma. But behavioral link sun damage.

Question 9

who is at risk for melanoma?

Accepted Answer

White people in sun: Sun damage can lead to melanoma and people with fair skin sustain more injury from the sun more rapidly than their darker skinned counterparts.  Sun protection from a young age is very important.  You can read more at www.Melanomafoundation.Org.

Question 10

how do you diagnose melanoma?

Accepted Answer

Biopsy: Any suspicious looking skin lesion, esp if it grows fast or changes in color or starts bleeing, needs to be biopsied. It will reveal melanoma if present.

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Is malanoma fatal

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Is melanoma fatal if it spread to lungs and groin?

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Is melanoma transmissible?

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Please im desperate i think i have a melanoma?

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What are the types of tumors for melanoma?

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What exactly is a melanoma?

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Is melanoma hereditary? how?

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Who is at risk for melanoma?

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How do you diagnose melanoma?

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