Melanoma Cancer
Melanoma
Cancer :
Malignant melanoma is predominantly a
disease of the skin, but may in rare instances occur at
other sites, including the mucous membranes (vulva, vagina, lip, throat,
esophagus and perianal
region), as well as in the eye (uvea and retina). Melanoma arises from
melanocytes, which are
cells located in the upper layer of the skin that are responsible for
producing pigment (skin color).
Most melanomas are dark in color (black/brown) because they contain
pigment; however, some
melanomas do not contain pigment (amelanotic malignant melanoma) and are
difficult to diagnose.
Since the majority of patients enrolled in clinical trials have skin
(cutaneous) melanoma, this
treatment overview will focus on that type of melanoma. It is important to
realize that the
treatment principles derived from clinical trials involving patients with
skin melanoma are applicable
to melanomas of the vulva, vagina, male genitalia or anorectal areas but,
in general, melanomas in
these sites have a worse prognosis than skin melanomas.
What is
malignant melanoma? Malignant
melanoma is a tumor of the pigment-producing cells of the skin. Pigment
cells are
located all over the dermis (skin) and supply the skin's color. Pigment
cells are more heavily
concentrated in moles. When one of these pigment cells becomes malignant,
it produces a tumor
called a melanoma. Melanomas can appear anywhere; in parts of the skin
which previously looked
normal or in moles which have been present for a long time. Melanoma is
frequently called a skin
cancer because it derives from the cells of the skin. This definition is
not entirely correct, as
melanoma differs from typical skin cancer in two respects. Not only is
melanoma fairly rare, it may
metastasize to other parts of the body, something which typical skin
cancers do not normally do.
Because of this tendency to spread, patients with melanoma are usually
referred to specialists for
treatment.
What is
“Cancer” Insurance?
Cancer insurance provides benefits only if you get cancer.
If yes, then Cancer policies sold today
vary widely in cost and coverage. If you decide to purchase a cancer
insurance policy, contact
different companies and agents, and compare the policies before you buy.
Cancer insurance is
sometimes referred to as a specified disease or dreaded disease policy.
It is also necessary if you
are considering the purchase of cancer insurance or other specified
disease type coverage, it is a
good idea to carefully review your current health insurance policies.
Before going for cancer
insurance you should make it clear from agent or company that all
expenses will be covered by
policy or only hospital costs will be bared by cancer insurance policy.
Many cancer insurance
policies have fixed cost limits. Cancer insurance is not a substitute for
comprehensive coverage. |
