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Melanoma is a type ofa skincancerthat occurs in melanocytes, the cells that give the skin its color. When these cells grow out of control, melanoma can form.
ѱԴdzis currently the 4thmost common cancer in U.S. adults.If melanoma spreads beyond the skin to other parts of the body,’sconsidered advanced melanoma.
We spoke with Dr. Paul Chapman, amedical oncologist at ĢƵ/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital with over 35 years of experiencein melanoma care and research, to discussimportant informationpatients should know about how this type of skin cancer.
Melanoma most commonly startsdeveloping withinskinٳ’sfrequentlyexposed to ultraviolet (UV) light from either the sun or tanning lamps.Inmore rarecases, melanomas can also form in the eyes or mucous membranes.UV exposure can damage a cell’sgenetic makeup, orDNA,which can affect how those cells grow and divide. When your쾱’sDNA is damaged, the cells canreproducerapidly,leading to melanoma.
Anyone can develop melanoma, but overexposure to sunlight and sunburnsarea major risk factor. Other risk factors include a family history of melanoma, fair skin, light eyes, a history of tanning bed use, and having a surplus of moles. Melanoma is more common in white people, but it can occur inpeople ofall skin types.
Changes in an existing mole or developing a new pigmented or unusual looking spot on the skin can be a sign that melanoma has formed. This can occur anywhere on the body, butmelanomasare most often found in the arms, back, face, and legs, as these areasare morefrequentlyexposed to the sun.
Typical moles are most often a uniform color, which could be pink, tan, black, orbrown. Moles that are asymmetrical in shape, change color or size, becomeitchyor bleed, or have an unusual border mayindicatemelanoma.
There are a variety of treatment options for melanoma depending on the stage of the melanoma, if ithasspread to other areas, and your overall health.
Surgery is the main treatmentoptionfor most melanomas. If melanoma is caughtinan early stage, surgery alone may be apossible cure. If the melanoma has spread, acombination of surgery, immune checkpoint inhibitors, targetedtherapies, chemotherapy, and/or radiationmaybe used.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors work by targeting“checkpoint”proteins in the bodyin order tohelp the immune system attackthemelanoma cells.These “checkpoint” proteins are like switches that need to be turnedoffin order toactivate the immune system against cancer cells.There area number ofimmune checkpoint inhibitors approved for the treatment of melanoma. Sometimes they are used alone, sometimes in combination.
Targeted therapies target mutations in specific genes that causethe cancerto grow. These treatments work by specifically targeting these cells and inhibiting their growth while leaving normal cells alone.
Chemotherapy works by targeting rapidly dividing cells in the body, including cancer cells. Chemotherapy travels through the blood to all parts of the body and can be used in more advanced melanoma that has spread beyond the skin.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.It may be used when melanoma has spread to other parts of the body or after surgery to lower the risk ofthe cancercoming back.
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy is a new form of cellular immunotherapy that is used to treat advanced melanoma that’tresponded to other forms of treatment. TIL therapy uses a patient’s own immune cells to target cancer cells. ĢƵ is proud to offer this innovative therapy to our patients.
Clinical trials areaimed at discovering new drugs or therapies that are not yet approved by theUnited States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Enrolling in a clinical study may be the best treatmentoptionforsomepatients afteran initialmelanoma diagnosisor after other treatmentoptions have not led toapositive responseagainstthe cancer.
’simportant to be aware of changes to yourskin andtoperformregularself-skin exams.Typically, dermatologists recommend annual skin checks andmonitor forchanges during these visits. Additionally, if you see any areas thatappearabnormal or have changedappearance since you last examined them, reach out to a health care professional for a more thorough exam.
