How is malignant melanoma treated, and are there any new treatments that are in trials?

Surgery is the most common treatment for early stages of melanoma.
If the melanoma has spread to the lymph nodes or beyond to other internal organs, additional treatments including chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are available.

On March 25, 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a breakthrough melanoma treatment called Yervoy (ipilimumab). It’s the first therapy proven to extend overall survival for advanced stage melanoma patients. This is this the first melanoma drug to receive FDA approval in 13 years.

http://www.uofmhealth.org/medical-services/melanoma
http://www.skincancer.org/learn-more-about-ipilimumab.html?gclid=CKLU0NbQ5asCFcG8KgodKVWQJA

Skin color is not only affected by the sun/Malignant Melanoma

Skin color is not only determined by whether you are in the sun or not. There are many environmental factors that help determine the color of your skin. Some of these factors include, ashtma, aging, sun, how much oxygen is in an area, and the nearness of a location to the equator. For example, nearness to the equator means that the area usually has high temperatures which would cause them to have darker skin color.
Malignant Melanoma is a neoplasm of melanocytes. A long time ago melanoma was not a common disease but over time the disease has become more common as well as the number of deaths caused by this disease. Malignant Melanoma is caused by sun exposure and artificial UV sources such as tanning booths. People of higher economic status tend to be more at risk of getting melanoma because they can afford vacations in places with higher UV intensity.


http://skincancer.dermis.net/content/e04typesof/e154/e155/index_eng.html

What does the mnemonic device ABCD stand for and a few pictures of normal vs. malignant moles:

http://movies-hukenyonbaker.blogspot.com/2011/03/malignant-melanoma-moles.html

Danger of Malignant Melanoma and how you can spot it:

There are three forms of cancer of the skin or skin cancer. The most dangerous of all is a cancer in the melanocytes. Skin cancer in the melanocytes form a tumor in those cells that produce melanin, which is a substance which helps to color your skin. Compared to other skin cancers, Malignant Melanoma is a more rare type of skin cancer, but is most fatal. This means that we need to do anything and everything to spot, diagnose and treat in its early stages. Below is a list of ways to help you recognize it in its early stage.

A.One half is unlike the other half.
B.An irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border.
C.Is varied from one area to another; has shades of tan, brown, or black; or is sometimes white, red or blue.
D.Melanomas usually are greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, but they can be smaller.
E.A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color.
http://www.health-wellness-care.com/html/health_articles/malignant_melanoma.html
http://www.aad.org/skin-conditions/skin-cancer-detection/about-skin-self-exams

Sun exposure is not always a bad thing.

When some people think of sun exposure they think of skin cancer, and peeling skin and all of the bad things that sun exposure may or may not produce. What they fail to understand, is that sun exposure is a way to naturally produce Vitamin D, which is a prehormone. Vitamin D is converted into a steroid hormone called calcitriol that controls about 2,000 genes in the body. Calcitriol can only produced by Vitamin D which both are important to good health which makes sun exposure a good thing.


http://naturalbias.com/why-sun-exposure-is-vital-to-your-health/

Melanocytes are small cells that act as a big shield for our skin!

Melanocytes are responsible for the color of the surface of our skin. Melanin, which is produced by melanocytes, protects the skin from UV radiation. Melanin blocks UV radiaiton by darkening the skin and acting as a barrier.


http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fdrkisling.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F06%2FJune-22-2011-135.jpg&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHYqmE2o9Ud0nQT0MzvBgx-nRumFw


http://www.anatomy.tv/StudyGuides/StudyGuide.aspx?guideid=18&nextID=1&maxID=0&customer=primhttp://www.sharecare.com/question/how-melanin-protects-from-sunal

Prevention of Malignant Melanoma and the differences between the suns rays and Tanning beds:

From research, I learned that there are many ways to prevent Malignant Melanoma. It has been proven that the patient, not the doctor is most likely to spot Melanoma. The “Ugly Duckling” theory is the most common way Melanoma has been spotted (Looking for spots that stand out or are different from other body parts). If you notice a mole or unusual spot on your body, you should bring attention to your doctor immediately. About 65 percent of Melanoma patients are caused from Ultraviolet exposure from sunlight or tanning beds. Here are a few ways to lower your chances of developing Melanoma: First, You should always generously apply sunscreen to any exposed skin, Wear protective clothing, seek shade, use extra caution near water, snow, and sand, DO NOT BURN, Avoid Tanning beds, get Vitamin D safely through healthy diet, and lastly, Beware of medications that can increase your sensitivity. The only difference between the sun and tanning beds is that tanning beds only use one type of UV ray, where the Sun exposes us to 2 UV rays. Tanning beds work by using UVA rays, the aging ray. Although some say you can practice “safe tanning” at their tanning beds, the fact is that they both increase your chances of developing some form of skin cancer.
http://www.melanoma.org/learn-more/melanoma-101/prevention-sun-safety?gclid=CJ6ssvqP46sCFYoDQAodoG6eSQ
http://www.tanning-central.com/tanning-beds-vs-sun.html