what kind of tests are done in the follow-up for melanoma skin cancer?

Question

Could melanoma or any kind of skin cancer have an effect on your ferritin level?

Answer 1

Skin exams: The most common follow up are periodic skin examinations. Depending on the melanoma characteristics and history, other tests such as complete examinations, imaging studies, and blood tests may also be indicated.

Answer 2

Examination maybe PE: Usually physical examination and twice yearly dermatologic exams are all that is needed. More advanced melanomas may be followed by pet scans. The nccn guidelines recomend much more limited use of scans than many doctors practice. For most people - your greatest risk is developing a second melanoma and that is why derm checkups are so important.

Answer 3

Skin exams: Complete skin examinations at least four times a year. Once you develop one melanoma, you are at risk for developing an additional melanoma. Also depending on the level of risk associated with your particular melanoma imaging may be ordered to assess for the development of distant disease.

Answer 4

An aggressive cancer: Melanoma skin cancer arises from the pigment cells in the skin. The larges risk factor is sun exposure. It is scary because even a small primary tumor sometimes metastasizes and becomes deadly. Read about the abcd's of melanoma detection at www.Melanomafoundation.Org.

Answer 5

Aggressive cancer: Melanoma develops from melanocytes cells of the lower layers in the skin. These cells produce pigments and the color of skin. When they form into cancer it can grow radially and deeply which can be dangerous as it can subsequently spread to other areas of the body. There are genetic predispositions as well as ultraviolet radiation exposure and sunburns are risk factors.

Answer 6

Multiple risks: The most important risk factor is exposure to uv sun radiation, especially as a child and young adult. Then, over time, we all naturally start accumulating genetic mutations. Some of these mutations will culminate in the development of melanoma skin cancer. Avoid unnecessary sun exposure, don't use tanning beds, and use sunscreen spf 50 or greater to reduce your risk.

Answer 7

Skin Cancer: Melanoma is a potentially dangerous type of skin cancer. It is diagnosed less frequently than other types of skin cancer (nonmelanoma skin cancer), but has the ability to spread very quickly. Melanoma most often begins on the skin but can develop on the other parts of the body, such as under fingernails, toenails and the eyeball.

Answer 8

Malignancy: In the epidermis, or top layer of skin, are squamous cells, basal cells, and melanocytes. Melanocytes are the cells that give skin color with UV exposure. Melanoma tumors will most often resemble a mole, but may have certain characteristics. Approximately 10,000 melanoma deaths occur annually. However, the prognosis with early treatment is typically very good. Learn more at http://dermdocs.com/

Answer 9

Melanoma: Things to do about melanoma: 1. Prevention: avoid sun exposure between 10am & 4pm. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. 2. Detection: get to know your skin, do monthly skin self exam, including genital/perianal area. Show new or changing moles to dermatologist asap if melanoma is diagnosed early, chances of cure are high. No truly effective tx for late/metastatic melanoma. Early detection is key.

Answer 10

Melanoma : Someone diagnosed with malignant melanoma should consult and follow up on a regular basis with a dermatologist for skin screening and to make sure the melanoma has been completely surgically removed sometimes blood work and imaging studies such as x rays or ct scans are needed depending on the depth of the melanoma. At times regional lymph nodes are biopsied to ensure the melanoma has not spread.

Answer 11

21 per 100k people: 21 per 100000 men and women per year. It is estimated 76, 690 new cases and 9480 deaths in 2013 due to melanoma.

Answer 12

Melanoma is: The third most common skin cancer, but the most lethal. It is related to sun exposure. Epidemiologically, there are fewer than 50 cases/100, 000/year.

Answer 13

~75K new cases / yr: In 2012 the estimate is ~ 75k new cases in the usa. However, this might be an underestimation because superficial or melanoma in situ lesions may not be adequately reported.

Answer 14

Common: The american cancer society estimates that the risk of developing invasive melanoma in the United States is 1 in 41 and 1 in 61 for men and women, respectfully. This averages out to approximately a 1 in 50 chance of developing melanoma throughout your lifetime. The incidence of people under 30 developing melanoma is increasing faster than any other demographic group.

Answer 15

Vemurafenib: This was approved in 2011 by the fda and the value of this interacting your particular situation would be discussed with your oncologist.

Answer 16

Nothing: There is no really good oral med for melanoma. Once the tumor has spread systemic interferon is often used. There are new drugs being developed. Melanama traditionally has been resistent to most types of medications. The mainstay of treatment for melanoma remains surgery.

Answer 17

#1is Surgery: Surgical excision is usually the preferred method of treatment but many other options exist based on the extent and location of disease.

Answer 18

Information: Generally the treatment is surgery. If the disease has spread, still surgery is the treatment of choice if it can be done. Sometimes radiation can help with pain. Sometimes interferon can also help. There may be more drugs in the future.

Answer 19

Other skin cancer: that means the 2 more common skin cancers: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

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