Melanoma Information and Resources

Contrary to popular belief Bob Marley (the popular Reggae Singer) did not die of a drug overdose. He actually died of metastatic malignant melanoma. It had spread into his lungs and brain. This fact might surprise a few readers; however, this piece of information should actually bring the seriousness of this disease into a sharper, starker perspective. This disease can strike anyone.

Initially, Marley mistook the unrelenting sore on his right big toe for an old soccer injury. The wound, which was originally found in July 1977, was problematic after months of lingering ulceration. It was only when the sore began to grow, aggressively, under his toenail and thus interfered with Marley's dancing, that he sought medical advice. It was then that the correct diagnosis of malignant melanoma was made. According to biographers, Marley was advised to get his toe amputated, but he refused because of deeply held religious beliefs (he was Rastafarian). He also was concerned about the impact such an operation would have on his performances. He felt that amputation would profoundly affect his career at a time when greater success was just around the corner. Sadly, Bob Marley's melanoma spread to his brain, his lungs and his stomach. While on tour in the summer of 1980, Marley collapsed jogging in Central Park. Marley did seek other alternative advice regarding his melanoma diagnosis, but it was too late. He died a year later on May 11, 1981 at the age of 36 while at the peak of his music career. If we learn anything from Bob Marley's story, it is that no one is exempt from a melanoma diagnosis.

Hopefully, what you take from this is that you should take quick action when something is "not right". Do not be afraid to listen to your body or be afraid to speak up, ask questions, research, and fight for your life.

Bob Marley dismissed an unrelenting sore on his toe as a stubborn soccer injury, and he paid the ultimate price-his life.

Take precautions against a future melanoma diagnosis. Perform monthly self-skin exams; visit your dermatologist for a full-body skin exam once-a-year; if you see anything change between visits, go back. If you're not 100% comfortable with your dermatologist find another one. Use sunscreen on a regular basis and stay away from tanning beds. Spread the message to your friends and family.

excerpts from:http://onlyskindeepbook.blogspot.com/2007/08/melanoma-not-respector-of-persons.html

Many teens and twenty-somethings want that bronzed glow all year 'round, and when they can't tan outdoors, millions use sunbeds to get it. Every year, nearly 2.3 million American teenagers visit tanning salons.

The dangerous consequence is a significantly increased risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, according to an international study published in March. Reviewing all available worldwide data - 19 international studies- a Working Group of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, a branch of the World Health Organization) found a strong association between tanning bed use and melanoma risk. Across all age groups, males and females who have ever used tanning beds have a 15 percent higher risk of developing melanoma. More alarming still, based on 7 worldwide studies, people who first use a tanning bed before age 35 increase their risk for melanoma by 75 percent.

The IARC's findings also reinforce previous research showing that tanning bed use increases the risk for squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common skin cancer.

False Claims by Tanning Proprietors
Finally, the study disputes tanning salon owners' and operators' frequent claims that sunbeds offer health benefits because they provide a "base tan" that helps avoid sunburn. "The evidence does not support a protective effect of the use of sunbeds against damage to the skin from subsequent sun exposure. There is no such thing as a safe tan," declares Dr. Béatrice Secretan, coordinator of the IARC Working Group. "Young adults should be discouraged from using indoor tanning equipment, and restricted access to sunbeds by minors should be strongly considered."
Source: www.skincancer.org

1. You have been given a diagnosis - not a death sentence.
2. Melanoma survival statistics describe a group of similar patients but they
may have nothing to do with your chance of survival.
3. Often for melanoma treatment, there is no single answer.
4. It is important to be an active participant in your treatment
(not a passive recipient).

The "phases" that most melanoma patients seem to go through
are Discovery, Diagnosis and finally Treatment. These phases are
very closely linked to physician visits when the information about
melanoma diagnosis and treatment is shared with the patient.
While melanoma treatment is fairly straightforward, more advanced
stages of melanoma require more physician and patient interaction,
especially in the Diagnosis and Treatment phases.

Important Questions to Ask Your Physician
-Why do you think I have melanoma?
-Has my stage of melanoma been determined?
-Do I need more tests to determine my stage?
-If I need more tests, what tests are they?

Important Tip #1
As it is most likely that you have been in some shock given the
discovery of melanoma, it is important to bring another person with
you to take notes on what is said or suggested during your physician
visits. These can then be reviewed after the visit.

Important Questions to Ask Your Physician
-What is my stage of melanoma and what does that mean?
-Given my stage of melanoma, what are you recommending my first
treatment or surgery be?
-Will my surgery/medical treatment be done here or at another center?

Why Do You Need to Know Your Melanoma Stage
-It determines if you need a surgical approach to your melanoma.
-It determines if you need further testing during your surgery
(sentinel node biopsy).
-It determines if you will need adjuvant therapy after surgery.
-It determines if surgery is not indicated and other therapies
(gamma knife, bio-chemotherapy, etc.) are needed in the place
of surgery.

Important Tip #2
Before starting any surgical or treatment plans (and especially in
more advanced cases in which treatments may be more controversial),
you need to understand your diagnosis and all the various
options for your stage of melanoma. In other words, before you
undergo any treatment, you need to do your homework and
understand your options before deciding with your physician
what the plan for your melanoma treatment will be.

Staging Classifications

STAGE
IA
--What It Means
The tumor is less than 1 millimeter thick. The outer
layer of skin does not look cracked or scraped
(ulcerated). It has not spread to any lymph nodes
or other organs.
--Treatment
The tumor and some surrounding tissue are removed
surgically. Usually no further treatment is necessary.

STAGE
IB
--What It Means
The tumor is either less than 1 millimeter thick and
ulcerated, or 1-2 millimeters thick and not ulcerated.
It has not spread to any lymph nodes or other organs.
--Treatment
The tumor and some surrounding tissue are removed
surgically. Usually no other treatment is necessary.

STAGE
IIA
--What It Means
The tumor is either 1-2 millimeters thick and ulcerated,
or 2-4 millimeters thick and not ulcerated. It has not
spread to any lymph nodes or other organs.
--Treatment
The tumor and some surrounding tissue are removed
surgically. Usually no other treatment is necessary.

STAGE
IIB
--What It Means
The tumor is either 2-4 millimeters thick and ulcerated,
or more than 4 millimeters thick and not ulcerated. It
has not spread to any lymph nodes or other organs.
--Treatment
The tumor and some surrounding tissue are removed
surgically. Immunotherapy may be given in cases of
thicker tumors.

STAGE
IIC
--What It Means
The tumor is more than 4 millimeters thick and
is ulcerated. These are aggressive tumors that are
very likely to spread.
--Treatment
The tumor and some surrounding tissue are removed
surgically. Immunotherapy may be given.

STAGE
IIIA
IIIB
IIIC
--What It Means
The tumor may be any thickness. It may or may not be
ulcerated. The cancer cells have spread either to a few
nearby lymph nodes, or to some tissue just outside the
tumor but not to the lymph nodes.
--Treatment
The tumor and lymph nodes that have cancer cells are
removed surgically. Immunotherapy may be given.

STAGE
IV
--What It Means
The cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes, other
organs in the body, or areas far from the original site of
the tumor. This is called metastatic melanoma.
--Treatment
The tumor and lymph nodes that have cancer cells are
removed surgically. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or
immunotherapy may be given to relieve symptoms.

Note: 1 millimeter = 1/25 of an inch
Clinical trials are also a treatment option.

How to Approach and Organize the Information You Obtain

-Make a list of the various treatment options for your stage
of melanoma.
-Compare/contrast how the large melanoma centers treat your
stage of disease.
-Look for consensus in their treatment options.
-Determine how the various treatment options could affect your life
(i.e., determine side effects of treatment, the effect on family,work
and lifestyle you are used to).

Make a "wish list" based on the information and decisions you have
reviewed and made:
- Your ideal treatment plan (medical/surgical and length)
- Your ideal place the treatment will take place
- Your ideal follow up
- Your ideal outcome
Prepare this and your list of questions for your doctor and take to
the appointment with you. As this appointment may require more
time than a normal routine visit, be sure the doctor has allowed
ample time for the consultation.

Before Treatment Ask Your Doctor
-Do you (or your group) operate on or manage a large number
of melanoma patients?
-Will you personally be managing my care or will I be followed by
residents/fellows? (Post-graduate doctors in training)
-If you do not have a large experience in melanoma patients,
whom do you recommend, or what center will you send me to?
-Are there any alternative surgeries/medical treatments that
could be considered besides the one you are offering or suggesting?
-What is your rationale for the prescribed treatment?
-Should I consider getting a second opinion if the surgery/treatment
is complex or controversial?
-Are clinical trials the only option for my stage of melanoma?

Important Questions to Ask Your Physician
-What seems to be the "consensus" for treatment for your stage
of melanoma among physicians and patients - excision,
sentinel node biopsy, lymph node removal, etc.?
-What seems to be "controversial" for your stage of melanoma -
no therapy, adjuvant therapy, radiation, bio-chemotherapy, etc.?
-How do the major melanoma centers approach your stage of disease?
-What is their "rationale" for their suggested therapy?
-Are clinical trials the only options for your stage of melanoma?*

* This may apply primarily to advanced stage patients who have already undergone surgery/therapies
and are having a recurrence of melanoma

Possible Outcomes from Your Doctor Visits
-Agree on treatment and plan for your therapy.
-Disagree on treatment and plan.
-Ask about second opinions.
-Obtain information from your physician about other resources
or major melanoma centers.
-If you are concerned or continue to have questions, visit
www.mpip.org to post your concerns.

Finally
This is not an all-inclusive method for determining your stage of
melanoma or the "right" treatment. However, this information can
be helpful for the newly diagnosed "now what?" patient. The hope
is that by giving overwhelmed and frightened melanoma patients an
approach to finding information about their disease and treatment
options, they will become an empowered and active participant in
their diagnosis and treatment.
Source: The Melanoma Research Foundation www.melanoma.org

PROLEUKIN, a prescription medication, is a form of immunotherapy that uses the body's natural immune system to fight cancer. There is a lot of good information on this website. PROLEUKIN

Corporate Angel Network arranges free travel on corporate jets for cancer patients, bone marrow donors and bone marrow recipients, as long as they:

~Travel to or from an approved* cancer treatment center

~Are able to walk up and down the steps to a private plane without assistance

~Do not require oxygen, IV or any other form of life support during the flight

Benefits of taking a Corporate Angel flight,

~a patient saves the expense of commercial airline tickets

~Avoids crowds in air terminals and on the aircraft

~Is permitted to bring an adult companion; children can travel with two adults

~Travels in comfort and ease, as often as necessary

~How to obtain free air transportation:

Call the Corporate Angel Network Toll-Free Patient Line at (866) 328-1313 to register within three weeks of a specific appointment at a recognized* cancer treatment center; or email us and provide a phone number where you can be reached.

You must make back-up travel arrangements with the travel agency or airline of your choice, as we cannot guarantee we will find you a flight.

We will immediately call you if and when we find a match.

* Recognized cancer treatment centers are listed with
the American College of Surgeons and/or
the National Institutes of Health.

Find more information at SOURCE: corporate angel network

SquiDirectory - Visit the SquiDirectory Squidoo directory, and find something interesting to read about!

The information on this lens should not be used in place of professional medical advice given by a board-certified dermatologist who is affiliated with the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). This lens features personal thoughts and experiences, as well as recommendations regarding skin cancer prevention. The author of this lens is not licensed to give professional medical advice regarding dermatology or oncology; but rather urges individuals to take proper precautions to protect themselves - and their loved ones - from skin cancer, and to make informed decisions about their health. For concerns related to skin cancer/melanoma, please contact your dermatologist.