Melanoma is a malignant tumour of melanocytes. Melanocytes predominantly occur in the skin but can be found elsewhere, especially the eye. The vast majority of melanomas originate in the skin.
Vaccine shows therapeutic promise against advanced melanoma – A vaccine for one of the most lethal cancers, advanced melanoma, has shown improved response rates and progression-free survival for patients when combined with the immunotherapy drug, Interleukin-2, according to researchers from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
The pigmented cells in zebrafish help scientists tease out how oncogenes that are know to contribute to cancer, influence the formation and regulation of the aggressive human skin cancer, melanoma – In a new study published in Disease Models & Mechanisms, scientists use the zebrafish to gain insight into the influence of known cancer genes on the development and progression of melanoma, an aggressive form of human skin cancer with limited treatment options.
Deadly skin cancer cases hit record high – During the last 30 years malignant melanoma rates have more than quadrupled. – The number of people diagnosed with the deadliest form of skin cancer has crashed through the 10,000 barrier after an alarming rise in new cases, according to the latest Cancer Research UK figures.
Credit crunched Brits swap holidays for sunbeds – 19% sunbed users are planning to increase their sunbed usage because they cannot afford to go on a summer holiday. – As the credit crunch continues to hit UK adults hard in the pocket, a new survey, released by Cancer Research UK to raise awareness of its annual SunSmart campaign, reveals that some sun seekers are planning to swap their summer holidays for increased sessions on a sunbed.
Early Detection Of Melanoma Plus Regular Skin Exams Is Vital For Beating Disease. Dermatologists Offer Advice for Reaching Five-Year Survival Mark. – On television’s popular “Grey’s Anatomy,” Dr. Izzie Stevens faces a grim diagnosis: stage IV metastatic melanoma. As the drama unfolds, viewers get a glimpse at why patients with the deadliest form of skin cancer ? in the most advanced stage of diagnosis ? face a mere 10-month median survival rate.
Improved self-examination and physician skin surveillance should become an integral component of skin cancer risk reduction strategies. – Older men whose melanoma is detected by a physician are more likely to have thinner and therefore more treatable tumors at diagnosis, according to results of a survey published in the April issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Researchers recommends annual screening for vitamin D deficiency and routine vitamin D supplementation in at-risk populations, such as dark-skinned or veiled groups. – Annual screening for vitamin D deficiency and routine vitamin D supplementation in at-risk populations, such as dark-skinned or veiled groups, is recommended by Australian researchers.
Scientists unravel crucial skin cancer switch – melanoma skin cancers could be triggered by a particular genetic mutation. – Up to 70 per cent of melanoma skin cancers could be triggered by a particular genetic mutation, according to a study by The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) published in Cancer.
Family history of melanoma linked to Parkinson’s disease – People with a family history of melanoma may have a greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 61st Annual Meeting in Seattle, April 25 to May 2, 2009.
Stress may hasten the growth of melanoma tumors but common beta-blocker medications might slow that progress. – For patients with a particularly aggressive form of skin cancer malignant melanoma stress, including that which comes from simply hearing that diagnosis, might amplify the progression of their disease.
