Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that is rarer than squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas. When this type of cancer spreads to other parts of your body, and other organs or tissues, it is referred to as metastatic or advanced melanoma. You may also find that your doctor refers to an advanced form of this disease as stage four melanoma, which means that it has spread beyond the initial tumor. Commonly, these cancers can spread to the lungs, liver, brain, lymph nodes, and various other tissues beneath the skin.
In most cases, this particular form of skin cancer cannot be cured, but support and various treatments can help you to live a happier, healthier, and longer life. Many doctors even have new therapies that can help to greatly increase the survival rates of people with this type of skin cancer, and researchers are in the process of looking for medications and therapies that might be able to fight back against this aggressive form of the disease.
The Causes of Melanoma:
While it is difficult to know exactly what are the causes of this particular type of cancer, in most cases scientists agree that it is caused by excessive exposure to UV or ultraviolet radiation from the sun, and other devices like tanning beds. The light in UV radiation damages the DNA in skin cells, which results in these cells mutating and multiplying without control. However, though this disease is often caused by UV exposure, you can get the disease on parts of your body that don't generally get exposure to the sun, such as your eyes, and the palms of your hands. You are more likely to suffer from this disease if you have a family history of the disease, a number of irregular moles, or fair skin along with a light eye color or hair color.
The Symptoms of Melanoma:
If your cancer spreads to other areas, you might experience swollen or painful lymph nodes, hardened bumps underneath the skin, a cough or trouble with breathing, or swelling underneath the right hand side of your ribs. Some people also notice bone pain and broken bones, whereas others have a loss of appetite and weight loss. Additional symptoms might include fatigue, headaches, weakness, or seizures.
Treatment for Melanoma:
Although it's worth noting that this kind of cancer is not easy to treat, and its metastatic form is usually impossible to treat, you will have options to make your life more comfortable and help you overcome the various symptoms that come with it. The right course of action for your specific needs will depend on your health, and the nature of your cancer. Common solutions include:
– Surgery to remove affected skin, tumors, and lymph glands. Though this surgery may not cure the cancer, it will help you to live longer and suffer from fewer symptoms
– Radiation and chemotherapy, which can be helpful for a wide range of people depending on the size of the cancer and its location.
– Immunotherapy, where the drugs can help to promote the proper working of your immune system so that it can attack the cancer with more positive results. You can get immune therapy through a shot or an IV, but it can have serious side effects in some instances.