Question 1

what is metastatic melanoma?

Accepted Answer

Skin cancer: In its most typical form, melanoma is a cancer that originates in cells of the skin called melanocytes. In some cases melanoma can spread to other organs from the skin. When it spreads, it is called metastatic melanoma.

Question 2

what are the symptoms of metastatic melanoma?

Accepted Answer

Depends: The most common symptom would be no symptoms at all. Metastatic melanoma is often picked up on imaging. Symptoms can occur depending on the location of the lesions. Neurological symptoms for brain mets, bleeding or obstruction for GI mets, possible pulmonary symptoms for lung mets.

Question 3

could metastatic melanoma spread anywhere in the body?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Common sites are the lymph nodes, lung and liver, but it can potentially spread anywhere.

Question 4

tragic. how to cope with friend with metastatic melanoma?

Accepted Answer

With great caring: There are exciting new treatments for this disease, but they still are not cures. I would support them during treatment. Listen carefully and with caring.

Question 5

what are the most common symptoms of metastatic melanoma?

Accepted Answer

No symptoms: The most common symptom of metatatic melanoma is no symptom at all.  This is why regular checkups and screening are important to melanoma survivors.

Question 6

what should be our next step after being diagnosed with metastatic melanoma?

Accepted Answer

Find a drug trial: No one likes to receive this sort of news, as there is no established treatment for melanoma after it has metastasized. But that does not mean that there is no hope: experts throughout the country are running drug trials, testing promising new treatments. Call academic medical centers in your area (or look at their web sites) and ask about melanoma clinical trials.

Question 7

is metastatic melanoma preventable?

Accepted Answer

Yes and No: Certain genetic conditions may predispose someone to malignant melanoma.  But there are certainly things that can be done to boost one's immune system to fight cancers.  And those with irregular moles should be seen at least yearly by their doctor or dermatologist to remove suspicious moles.  Therefore, preventing a metastatic process.

Question 8

doctors, what are the causes of metastatic melanoma?

Accepted Answer

Melanoma=Mole Cancer: Cancerous moles, or melanoma can be genetic. Or they can arise from sun exposure to a mole.
Sporadic exposure such as sunburns lead to a higher risk of melanomas in the moles.  So a larger number of moles increases the melanoma risk.
Redheads have a higher risk of melanoma.

Question 9

any ideas on where would i find qa on metastatic melanoma?

Accepted Answer

Here is a web site: http://www.melanoma.org/understand-melanoma/diagnosing-melanoma/stages-of-diagnosis.

Question 10

what happens if someone has metastatic melanoma, do they have lymphoma or is that completely different disease?

Accepted Answer

Different disease: The cells that become cancerous in lymphoma and melanoma are different. However, melanoma, like many cancers, can involve the lymph nodes. This means the melanoma has spread to the lymph nodes. However, it is not lymphoma.

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Doctor answers about:

Metastatic melanoma

A member asked:

What is metastatic melanoma?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of metastatic melanoma?

A member asked:

Could metastatic melanoma spread anywhere in the body?

A member asked:

Tragic. how to cope with friend with metastatic melanoma?

A member asked:

What are the most common symptoms of metastatic melanoma?

A member asked:

What should be our next step after being diagnosed with metastatic melanoma?

A member asked:

Is metastatic melanoma preventable?

A member asked:

Doctors, what are the causes of metastatic melanoma?

A member asked:

Any ideas on where would i find qa on metastatic melanoma?

A member asked:

What happens if someone has metastatic melanoma, do they have lymphoma or is that completely different disease?

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