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Table of Contents General Information About Melanoma Stages of Melanoma Recurrent Melanoma Treatment Option Overview Treatment Options by Stage
Treatment Options for Recurrent Melanoma To Learn More About Melanoma Get More Information From NCI Changes to This Summary (10/17/2008) About PDQ
General Information About Melanoma
Key Points for This Section
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Melanoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in
the skin cells called melanocytes (cells that color the skin).
Melanocytes are found
throughout the lower part of the epidermis. They make melanin, the pigment that gives skin its natural
color. When skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes make more pigment,
causing the skin to tan, or darken. Enlarge | | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081018095217im_/http://www.nci.nih.gov/images/spacer.gif) | Anatomy of the skin, showing the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. Melanocytes are in the layer of basal cells at the deepest part of the epidermis. |
The skin is the body’s largest organ. It protects against heat,
sunlight, injury, and infection. The
skin has 2 main layers: the epidermis (upper or outer layer) and the dermis (lower or inner layer).
When melanoma starts in
the skin, the disease is called cutaneous melanoma. This PDQ summary is about
cutaneous (skin) melanoma. Melanoma may also occur in the eye and is called intraocular or ocular melanoma. (See the PDQ summary on Intraocular (Eye) Melanoma
Treatment 1 for more information.)
There are 3 types of skin cancer:
Melanoma is more aggressive than basal cell skin cancer or squamous
cell skin cancer. (See the PDQ summary on Skin Cancer Treatment 2 for more information on basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer.)
Melanoma can occur anywhere on the body.
In men,
melanoma is often found on the trunk (the area from the shoulders to the hips)
or the head and neck. In women, melanoma often develops on the arms and legs.
Melanoma usually occurs in adults, but it is sometimes found in children and
adolescents.
Unusual moles, exposure to sunlight, and health history can
affect the risk of developing melanoma.
Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn't mean that you will not get cancer. People who think they may be at risk should discuss this with their doctor. Risk factors for melanoma include the
following:
- Unusual moles.
- Exposure to natural sunlight.
- Exposure to artificial ultraviolet light (tanning
booth).
- Family or personal history of melanoma.
- Being white and older than 20 years.
- Red or blond hair.
- White or light-colored skin and freckles.
- Blue eyes.
Possible signs of melanoma include a change in the appearance
of a mole or pigmented area.
These and other symptoms may be caused by melanoma. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems
occur:
- A mole that:
- changes in size, shape, or color.
- has irregular edges or borders.
- is more than 1 color.
- is asymmetrical (if the mole is divided in half, the 2
halves are different in size or shape).
- itches.
- oozes, bleeds, or is ulcerated (a hole forms in the skin when the top layer of cells breaks down and the underlying tissue shows through).
- Change in pigmented (colored) skin.
- Satellite moles (new moles that grow near an existing
mole).
Tests that examine the skin are used to detect (find) and
diagnose melanoma.
If a mole or pigmented area of the skin changes or looks abnormal,
the following tests and procedures can help detect and diagnose melanoma:
- Skin examination: A doctor or nurse examines the skin to look
for moles, birthmarks, or other pigmented areas that look abnormal in color,
size, shape, or texture.
- Biopsy: A local excision is done to remove as
much of the suspicious mole or lesion as possible. A pathologist then looks at the
tissue under a microscope to check
for cancer cells. Because melanoma can be hard to diagnose, patients should consider having their biopsy sample checked by a second pathologist.
Suspicious areas should not be shaved off or cauterized (destroyed with a hot
instrument, an electrical current, or a caustic substance).
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on
the following:
- The stage of melanoma (whether cancer is
found in the outer layer of skin only, or has spread to the lymph nodes, or to other places in the body.
- Whether there was bleeding or ulceration at the primary site.
- The location and size
of the tumor.
- The patient’s
general health.
Although many people are successfully treated, melanoma can recur (come back).
Stages of Melanoma
Key Points for This Section
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After melanoma has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out
if cancer cells have spread within the skin or to other parts of the body.
The process used to find out whether cancer has spread within the skin or to other parts
of the body is called staging. The
information gathered from the staging process determines the stage of the
disease. It is important to know the stage in order to plan treatment.
The following tests and procedures may be used in the staging
process:
- Wide local excision: A surgical procedure to remove some of
the normal tissue surrounding the area where melanoma was found, to check for cancer cells.
- Lymph node
mapping and sentinel lymph node
biopsy: Procedures in which a radioactive substance and/or blue dye is injected near the tumor. The substance or dye flows through lymph ducts to the sentinel node or nodes (the first lymph node or nodes where cancer
cells are likely to have spread). The surgeon removes only the nodes
with the radioactive substance or dye. A pathologist then checks the sentinel lymph nodes
for cancer cells. If no cancer cells are detected, it may not be necessary to
remove additional nodes.
- Chest x-ray: An x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.
- CT scan (CAT
scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography. For melanoma,
pictures may be taken of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.
- MRI (magnetic
resonance imaging): A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).
- PET scan (positron
emission tomography scan): A procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body. A small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein. The PET scanner rotates around the body and makes a picture of where glucose is being used in the body. Malignant tumor cells show up brighter in the picture because they are more active and take up more glucose than normal cells do.
- Laboratory tests: Medical procedures that test samples of tissue, blood, urine, or other substances in the body. These tests help to diagnose disease, plan and check treatment, or monitor the disease over time.
The results of these tests are viewed together with the results of
the tumor biopsy to determine the melanoma stage.
There are three ways that cancer spreads in the body.
The three ways that cancer spreads in the body are:
- Through tissue. Cancer invades the surrounding normal tissue.
- Through the lymph system. Cancer invades the lymph system and travels through the lymph vessels to other places in the body.
- Through the blood. Cancer invades the veins and capillaries and travels through the blood to other places in the body.
When cancer cells break away from the primary (original) tumor and travel through the lymph or blood to other places in the body, another (secondary) tumor may form. This process is called metastasis. The secondary (metastatic) tumor is the same type of cancer as the primary tumor. For example, if breast cancer spreads to the bones, the cancer cells in the bones are actually breast cancer cells. The disease is metastatic breast cancer, not bone cancer.
The Clark levels are used for thin tumors to describe how deep the cancer has spread into the skin:
Level I
The cancer is in the epidermis only.
Level II
The cancer has begun to spread into the papillary dermis (upper layer of the dermis).
Level III
The cancer has spread through the papillary dermis (upper layer of the dermis) but not into the reticular dermis (lower layer of the dermis).
Level IV
The cancer has spread into the reticular dermis (lower layer of the dermis).
Level V
The cancer has spread into the subcutaneous layer (below the skin).
The following stages are used for melanoma:
Stage 0 (Melanoma in Situ)
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Stage 0 melanoma. Abnormal melanocytes are in the epidermis (outer layer of the skin). |
In stage 0, abnormal melanocytes are found in the epidermis (Clark level I).
These abnormal melanocytes may become cancer and spread into nearby normal tissue. Stage 0 is also called melanoma in situ.
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Millimeters (mm). A sharp pencil point is about 1 mm, a new crayon point is about 2 mm, and a new pencil eraser is about 5 mm. |
Stage I
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Stage I melanoma. In stage IA, the tumor is not more than 1 millimeter thick, with no ulceration (break in the skin). In stage IB, the tumor is either not more than 1 millimeter thick, with ulceration, OR more than 1 but not more than 2 millimeters thick, with no ulceration. Skin thickness is different on different parts of the body. |
In stage I, cancer has formed. Stage I is divided into stages IA and IB.
- Stage IA: In stage IA, the tumor is not more than 1 millimeter thick, with no ulceration.
The tumor is in the epidermis and the papillary dermis (Clark level II or III).
- Stage IB: In stage IB, the tumor is either:
- not more than 1 millimeter thick and it has ulceration or it has spread through the dermis or into the subcutaneous layer (Clark level IV or V) ; or
- more than 1 but not more than 2 millimeters thick, with
no ulceration.
Stage II
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Stage II melanoma. In stage IIA, the tumor is either more than 1 but not more than 2 millimeters thick, with ulceration (break in the skin), OR it is more than 2 but not more than 4 millimeters thick, with no ulceration. In stage IIB, the tumor is either more than 2 but not more than 4 millimeters thick, with ulceration, OR it is more than 4 millimeters thick, with no ulceration. In stage IIC, the tumor is more than 4 millimeters thick, with ulceration. Skin thickness is different on different parts of the body. |
Stage II is divided
into stages IIA, IIB, and IIC.
Stage III
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Stage III melanoma. The tumor may be any thickness with or without ulceration. It has spread either (a) into a nearby lymph vessel and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes; OR (b) to 1 or more lymph nodes, which may be matted (not moveable). Skin thickness is different on different parts of the body. |
In stage III, the tumor may be any thickness, with or without ulceration, and either:
- has spread into a nearby lymph vessel and may have spread into nearby lymph nodes; or
- has spread to 1 or more lymph nodes, which may be matted (not moveable).
Stage IV
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Stage IV melanoma. The tumor has spread to other parts of the body. |
In stage IV, the cancer has spread to other places in the body.
Recurrent Melanoma
Recurrent melanoma is cancer that has recurred
(come back) after it has been treated. The cancer may come back in the original
site or in other parts of the body, such as the lungs or liver. Treatment Option Overview
Key Points for This Section
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There are different types of treatment for patients with
melanoma.
Different types of treatment are available for patients with melanoma. Some treatments are standard (the currently used treatment), and some are being tested in clinical trials. A
treatment clinical trial is a research study meant to help improve current
treatments or obtain information on new treatments for patients with cancer.
When clinical trials show that a new treatment is better than the
standard treatment, the new
treatment may become the standard treatment. Patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial. Some clinical trials are open only to patients who have not started treatment.
Four types of standard treatment are used:
Surgery
Surgery to remove the tumor is the primary treatment of
all stages of melanoma. The doctor
may remove the tumor using the following operations:
- Local excision:
Taking out the melanoma and some of the normal tissue around it.
- Wide local excision with or without removal of lymph nodes.
- Lymphadenectomy:
A surgical procedure in which the lymph nodes are removed and examined to see
whether they contain cancer.
- Sentinel lymph node
biopsy: The removal of the sentinel lymph node (the first lymph node the cancer is likely to spread to from the tumor) during surgery. A radioactive substance and/or blue dye is injected near the tumor. The substance or dye flows through the lymph ducts to the lymph nodes. The first lymph node to receive the substance or dye is removed for biopsy. A pathologist views the tissue under a microscope to look for cancer cells. If cancer cells are not found, it may not be necessary to remove more lymph nodes.
Enlarge | | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081018095217im_/http://www.nci.nih.gov/images/spacer.gif) | Sentinel lymph node biopsy of the skin. A radioactive substance and/or blue dye is injected near the tumor (first panel), the injected material is detected visually and/or with a probe (middle panel), and the sentinel nodes (the first lymph nodes to take up the material) are removed and checked for cancer cells (last panel). |
Skin grafting (taking
skin from another part of the body to replace the skin that is removed) may be
done to cover the wound caused by surgery.
Even if the doctor removes all the melanoma that can be seen at
the time of the operation, some patients may be offered chemotherapy after surgery to kill
any cancer cells that are left. Chemotherapy given after surgery, to increase
the chances of a cure, is called adjuvant therapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body (systemic chemotherapy). When chemotherapy is placed directly into the spinal column, an organ, or a body cavity such as the abdomen, the drugs mainly affect cancer cells in those areas (regional chemotherapy).
In treating melanoma, anticancer drugs may be given as a hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion. This
technique sends anticancer drugs directly to the arm or leg in which the cancer
is located. The flow of blood to and from the limb is temporarily stopped with
a tourniquet, and a warm solution containing anticancer drugs is put directly
into the blood of the limb. This allows the patient to receive a high dose of
drugs in the area where the cancer occurred.
The way the chemotherapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. There are two types of radiation therapy. External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the cancer. Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer. The way the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.
Biologic therapy
Biologic therapy is a treatment that uses the patient’s immune system to fight cancer. Substances made by the body or made in a laboratory are used to boost, direct, or restore the body’s natural defenses against cancer. This type of cancer treatment is also called biotherapy or immunotherapy.
New types of treatment are being tested in clinical trials.
This summary section describes treatments that are being studied in clinical trials. It may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site 3
Chemoimmunotherapy
Chemoimmunotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs combined with
biologic therapy to boost the immune system to kill cancer cells.
Patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial.
For some patients, taking part in a clinical trial may be the best treatment choice. Clinical trials are part of the cancer research process. Clinical trials are done to find out if new cancer treatments are safe and effective or better than the standard treatment.
Many of today's standard treatments for cancer are based on earlier clinical trials. Patients who take part in a clinical trial may receive the standard treatment or be among the first to receive a new treatment.
Patients who take part in clinical trials also help improve the way cancer will be treated in the future. Even when clinical trials do not lead to effective new treatments, they often answer important questions and help move research forward.
Patients can enter clinical trials before, during, or after starting their cancer treatment.
Some clinical trials only include patients who have not yet received treatment. Other trials test treatments for patients whose cancer has not gotten better. There are also clinical trials that test new ways to stop cancer from recurring (coming back) or reduce the side effects of cancer treatment.
Clinical trials are taking place in many parts of the country. See the Treatment Options section that follows for links to current treatment clinical trials. These have been retrieved from NCI's clinical trials database.
Follow-up tests may be needed.
Some of the tests that were done to diagnose the cancer or to find out the stage of the cancer may be repeated. Some tests will be repeated in order to see how well the treatment is working. Decisions about whether to continue, change, or stop treatment may be based on the results of these tests. This is sometimes called re-staging.
Some of the tests will continue to be done from time to time after treatment has ended. The results of these tests can show if your condition has changed or if the cancer has recurred (come back). These tests are sometimes called follow-up tests or check-ups.
Treatment Options by Stage
A link to a list of current clinical trials is included for each treatment section. For some types or stages of cancer, there may not be any trials listed. Check with your doctor for clinical trials that are not listed here but may be right for you.
Stage 0 (Melanoma in Situ)
Treatment of stage 0 is usually surgery to remove the area of abnormal cells and a small amount of normal tissue around it.
Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with stage 0 melanoma 4.
Stage I Melanoma
Treatment of stage I
melanoma may include the following:
Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with stage I melanoma 5.
Stage II Melanoma
Treatment of stage II melanoma may include the following:
Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with stage II melanoma 6.
Stage III Melanoma
Treatment of stage III melanoma may include the following:
Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with stage III melanoma 7.
Stage IV Melanoma
Treatment of stage IV melanoma may include the following:
Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with stage IV melanoma 8.
Treatment Options for Recurrent Melanoma
Treatment of recurrent melanoma may include the
following:
Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with recurrent melanoma 9. To Learn More About Melanoma
For more information from the National Cancer Institute about melanoma, see the following:
For general cancer information and other resources from the National Cancer Institute, see the following:
Get More Information From NCI
Call 1-800-4-CANCER
For more information, U.S. residents may call the National Cancer Institute's (NCI's) Cancer Information Service toll-free at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Deaf and hard-of-hearing callers with TTY equipment may call 1-800-332-8615. The call is free and a trained Cancer Information Specialist is available to answer your questions.
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The NCI's LiveHelp® 26 online chat service provides Internet users with the ability to chat online with an Information Specialist. The service is available from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday. Information Specialists can help Internet users find information on NCI Web sites and answer questions about cancer.
Write to us
For more information from the NCI, please write to this address:
- NCI Public Inquiries Office
- Suite 3036A
- 6116 Executive Boulevard, MSC8322
- Bethesda, MD 20892-8322
Search the NCI Web site
The NCI Web site 27 provides online access to information on cancer, clinical trials, and other Web sites and organizations that offer support and resources for cancer patients and their families. For a quick search, use our “Best Bets” search box in the upper right hand corner of each Web page. The results that are most closely related to your search term will be listed as Best Bets at the top of the list of search results.
There are also many other places to get materials and information about cancer treatment and services. Hospitals in your area may have information about local and regional agencies that have information on finances, getting to and from treatment, receiving care at home, and dealing with problems related to cancer treatment.
Find Publications
The NCI has booklets and other materials for patients, health professionals, and the public. These publications discuss types of cancer, methods of cancer treatment, coping with cancer, and clinical trials. Some publications provide information on tests for cancer, cancer causes and prevention, cancer statistics, and NCI research activities. NCI materials on these and other topics may be ordered online or printed directly from the NCI Publications Locator 28. These materials can also be ordered by telephone from the Cancer Information Service toll-free at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237), TTY at 1-800-332-8615. Changes to This Summary (10/17/2008)
The PDQ cancer information summaries are reviewed regularly and updated as new information becomes available. This section describes the latest changes made to this summary as of the date above.
Changes were made to this summary to match information in the health professional version and images were added. About PDQ
PDQ is a comprehensive cancer database available on NCI's Web site.
PDQ is the National Cancer Institute's (NCI's) comprehensive cancer information database. Most of the information contained in PDQ is available online at NCI's Web site 27. PDQ is provided as a service of the NCI. The NCI is part of the National Institutes of Health, the federal government's focal point for biomedical research.
PDQ contains cancer information summaries.
The PDQ database contains summaries of the latest published information on cancer prevention, detection, genetics, treatment, supportive care, and complementary and alternative medicine. Most summaries are available in two versions. The health professional versions provide detailed information written in technical language. The patient versions are written in easy-to-understand, nontechnical language. Both versions provide current and accurate cancer information.
The PDQ cancer information summaries are developed by cancer experts and reviewed regularly.
Editorial Boards made up of experts in oncology and related specialties are responsible for writing and maintaining the cancer information summaries. The summaries are reviewed regularly and changes are made as new information becomes available. The date on each summary ("Date Last Modified") indicates the time of the most recent change.
PDQ also contains information on clinical trials.
A clinical trial is a study to answer a scientific question, such as whether one treatment is better than another. Trials are based on past studies and what has been learned in the laboratory. Each trial answers certain scientific questions in order to find new and better ways to help cancer patients. During treatment clinical trials, information is collected about the effects of a new treatment and how well it works. If a clinical trial shows that a new treatment is better than one currently being used, the new treatment may become "standard." Patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial. Some clinical trials are open only to patients who have not started treatment.
Listings of clinical trials are included in PDQ and are available online at NCI's Web site 29. Descriptions of the trials are available in health professional and patient versions. Many cancer doctors who take part in clinical trials are also listed in PDQ. For more information, call the Cancer Information Service 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237); TTY at 1-800-332-8615. |
Glossary Terms
abdomen (AB-doh-men)
The area of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.
abnormal
Not normal. An abnormal lesion or growth may be cancerous, premalignant (likely to become cancer), or benign.
adjuvant therapy (A-joo-vant THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment given after the primary treatment to increase the chances of a cure. Adjuvant therapy may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or biological therapy.
aggressive
A quickly growing cancer.
asymmetry
Lack or absence of balanced proportions between parts of a thing.
basal cell carcinoma (BAY-sul SEL KAR-sih-NOH-muh)
A type of skin cancer that arises from the basal cells, small round cells found in the lower part (or base) of the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin.
biological therapy (BY-oh-LAH-jih-kul THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment to boost or restore the ability of the immune system to fight cancer, infections, and other diseases. Also used to lessen certain side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments. Agents used in biological therapy include monoclonal antibodies, growth factors, and vaccines. These agents may also have a direct antitumor effect. Also called immunotherapy, biotherapy, biological response modifier therapy, and BRM therapy.
biopsy (BY-op-see)
The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist. The pathologist may study the tissue under a microscope or perform other tests on the cells or tissue. There are many different types of biopsy procedures. The most common types include: (1) incisional biopsy, in which only a sample of tissue is removed; (2) excisional biopsy, in which an entire lump or suspicious area is removed; and (3) needle biopsy, in which a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle. When a wide needle is used, the procedure is called a core biopsy. When a thin needle is used, the procedure is called a fine-needle aspiration biopsy.
blood
A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.
bone cancer (... KAN-ser)
Primary bone cancer is cancer that forms in cells of the bone. Some types of primary bone cancer are osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and chondrosarcoma. Secondary bone cancer is cancer that spreads to the bone from another part of the body (such as the prostate, breast, or lung).
breast cancer (brest KAN-ser)
Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.
cancer (KAN-ser)
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord.
capillary
The smallest type of blood vessel. A capillary connects an arteriole (small artery) to a venule (small vein) to form a network of blood vessels in almost all parts of the body. The wall of a capillary is thin and leaky, and capillaries are involved in the exchange of fluids and gases between tissues and the blood.
catheter (KA-theh-ter)
A flexible tube used to deliver fluids into or withdraw fluids from the body.
cauterize (KAW-teh-RIZE)
To destroy tissue using a hot or cold instrument, an electrical current, or a chemical that burns or dissolves the tissue. This process may be used to kill certain types of small tumors or to seal off blood vessels to stop bleeding.
cell (sel)
The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.
chemoimmunotherapy (KEE-moh-IH-myoo-noh-THAYR-uh-pee)
Chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy. Chemotherapy uses different drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells; immunotherapy uses treatments to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight cancer.
chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.
chest x-ray
An x-ray of the structures inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of high-energy radiation that can go through the body and onto film, making pictures of areas inside the chest, which can be used to diagnose disease.
clinical trial
A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. Also called a clinical study.
contrast material
A dye or other substance that helps show abnormal areas inside the body. It is given by injection into a vein, by enema, or by mouth. Contrast material may be used with x-rays, CT scans, MRI, or other imaging tests.
CT scan
Computed tomography scan. A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles; the pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. Also called computed tomography scan, computerized tomography, computerized axial tomography scan, and CAT scan.
cutaneous (kyoo-TAY-nee-us)
Having to do with the skin.
dermis (DER-mis)
The lower or inner layer of the two main layers of tissue that make up the skin.
diagnosis (DY-ug-NOH-sis)
The process of identifying a disease, such as cancer, from its signs and symptoms.
dose
The amount of medicine taken, or radiation given, at one time.
drug
Any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose,
treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Also refers
to a substance that alters mood or body function, or that can be
habit-forming or addictive, especially a narcotic.
duct (dukt)
In medicine, a tube or vessel of the body through which fluids pass.
epidermis (ep-i-DER-mis)
The upper or outer layer of the two main layers of tissue that make up the skin.
excisional biopsy (ek-SIH-zhun-al BY-op-see)
A surgical procedure in which an entire lump or suspicious area is removed for diagnosis. The tissue is then examined under a microscope.
external radiation therapy (...RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee)
A type of radiation therapy that uses a machine to aim high-energy rays at the cancer from outside of the body. Also called external-beam radiation therapy.
family history
A record of a person's current and past illnesses, and those of his or her parents, brothers, sisters, children, and other family members. A family history shows the pattern of certain diseases in a family, and helps to determine risk factors for those and other diseases.
follow-up
Monitoring a person's health over time after treatment. This includes keeping track of the health of people who participate in a clinical study or clinical trial for a period of time, both during the study and after the study ends.
glucose
A type of sugar; the chief source of energy for living organisms.
hyperthermic perfusion (HY-per-THER-mik per-FYOO-zhun)
A procedure in which a warmed solution containing anticancer drugs is used to bathe, or is passed through the blood vessels of, the tissue or organ containing the tumor.
immune system (ih-MYOON SIS-tem)
The complex group of organs and cells that defends the body against infections and other diseases.
immunotherapy (IH-myoo-noh-THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment to boost or restore the ability of the immune system to fight cancer, infections, and other diseases. Also used to lessen certain side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments. Agents used in immunotherapy include monoclonal antibodies, growth factors, and vaccines. These agents may also have a direct antitumor effect. Also called biological therapy, biotherapy, biological response modifier therapy, and BRM therapy.
infection
Invasion and multiplication of germs in the body. Infections can occur in any part of the body and can spread throughout the body. The germs may be bacteria, viruses, yeast, or fungi. They can cause a fever and other problems, depending on where the infection occurs. When the body’s natural defense system is strong, it can often fight the germs and prevent infection. Some cancer treatments can weaken the natural defense system.
injection
Use of a syringe and needle to push fluids or drugs into the body; often called a "shot."
internal radiation therapy (in-TER-nul RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee)
A type of radiation therapy in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly into or near a tumor. Also called brachytherapy, radiation brachytherapy, and implant radiation therapy.
intraocular melanoma (IN-truh-AH-kyoo-ler MEH-luh-NOH-muh)
A rare cancer of melanocytes (cells that produce the
pigment melanin) found in the eye. Also called ocular melanoma.
invasive cancer (in-VAY-siv KAN-ser)
Cancer that has spread beyond the layer of tissue in which it developed and is growing into surrounding, healthy tissues. Also called infiltrating cancer.
isolated limb perfusion (I-soh-LAY-ted LIM per-FYOO-zhun)
A procedure that may be used to deliver anticancer drugs directly to an arm or leg. The flow of blood to and from the limb is temporarily stopped with a tourniquet (a tight band around the limb), and anticancer drugs are put directly into the blood of the limb. This allows the person to receive a high dose of drugs in the area where the cancer occurred. Also called limb perfusion.
laboratory test
A medical procedure that involves testing a sample of blood, urine, or other substance from the body. Tests can help determine a diagnosis, plan treatment, check to see if treatment is working, or monitor the disease over time.
lesion (LEE-zhun)
An area of abnormal tissue. A lesion may be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
liver
A large organ located in the upper abdomen. The liver cleanses the blood and aids in digestion by secreting bile.
lung
One of a pair of organs in the chest that supplies the body with oxygen, and removes carbon dioxide from the body.
lymph (limf)
The clear fluid that travels through the lymphatic system and carries cells that help fight infections and other diseases. Also called lymphatic fluid.
lymph node (limf node)
A rounded mass of lymphatic tissue that is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. Lymph nodes filter lymph (lymphatic fluid), and they store lymphocytes (white blood cells). They are located along lymphatic vessels. Also called lymph gland.
lymph node mapping
The use of dyes and radioactive substances to identify lymph nodes that may contain tumor cells. Also called lymphatic mapping.
lymph vessel (limf ...)
A thin tube that carries lymph (lymphatic fluid) and white blood cells through the lymphatic system. Also called lymphatic vessel.
lymphadenectomy (LIM-fa-deh-NEK-toh-mee)
A surgical procedure in which the lymph nodes are removed and examined to see whether they contain cancer. For a regional lymphadenectomy, some of the lymph nodes in the tumor area are removed; for a radical lymphadenectomy, most or all of the lymph nodes in the tumor area are removed. Also called lymph node dissection.
lymphatic system (lim-FA-tik SIS-tem)
The tissues and organs that produce, store, and carry white blood cells that fight infections and other diseases. This system includes the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, and lymphatic vessels (a network of thin tubes that carry lymph and white blood cells). Lymphatic vessels branch, like blood vessels, into all the tissues of the body.
malignant (muh-LIG-nunt)
Cancerous. Malignant tumors can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
melanin (MEH-luh-nin)
A pigment that gives color to skin and eyes and helps protect it from damage by ultraviolet light.
melanocyte (mel-AN-o-site)
A cell in the skin and eyes that produces and contains the pigment called melanin.
melanoma (MEH-luh-NOH-muh)
A form of cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin). It may begin in a mole (skin melanoma), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines.
melanoma in situ (MEH-luh-NOH-muh in SY-too)
Abnormal melanocytes (cells that make melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color) are found in the epidermis (outer layer of the skin). These abnormal melanocytes may become cancer and spread into nearby normal tissue. Also called stage 0 melanoma.
metastasis (meh-TAS-tuh-sis)
The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. A tumor formed by cells that have spread is called a “metastatic tumor” or a “metastasis.” The metastatic tumor contains cells that are like those in the original (primary) tumor. The plural form of metastasis is metastases (meh-TAS-tuh-SEEZ).
millimeter
A measure of length in the metric system. A millimeter is one thousandth of a meter. There are 25 millimeters in an inch.
mole
A benign (noncancerous) growth on the skin that is formed by a cluster of melanocytes (cells that make a substance called melanin, which gives color to skin and eyes). A mole is usually dark and may be raised from the skin. Also called nevus.
MRI
A procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures can show the difference between normal and diseased tissue. MRI makes better images of organs and soft tissue than other scanning techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) or x-ray. MRI is especially useful for imaging the brain, the spine, the soft tissue of joints, and the inside of bones. Also called magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, and NMRI.
National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, is the Federal Government's principal agency for cancer research. The National Cancer Institute conducts, coordinates, and funds cancer research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer. Access the National Cancer Institute Web site at http://www.cancer.gov. Also called NCI.
NCI
NCI, part of the National Institutes of Health of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, is the Federal Government's principal agency for cancer research. It conducts, coordinates, and funds cancer research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer. Access the NCI Web site at http://www.cancer.gov. Also called National Cancer Institute.
organ
A part of the body that performs a specific function. For example, the heart is an organ.
palliative therapy (PA-lee-uh-tiv THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment given to relieve the symptoms
and reduce the suffering caused by cancer and other life-threatening
diseases. Palliative cancer therapies are given together with other cancer
treatments, from the time of diagnosis, through treatment, survivorship,
recurrent or advanced disease, and at the end of life.
pathologist (puh-THAH-loh-jist)
A doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.
PDQ
PDQ is an online database developed and maintained by the National Cancer Institute. Designed to make the most current, credible, and accurate cancer information available to health professionals and the public, PDQ contains peer-reviewed summaries on cancer treatment, screening, prevention, genetics, complementary and alternative medicine, and supportive care; a registry of cancer clinical trials from around the world; and directories of physicians, professionals who provide genetics services, and organizations that provide cancer care. Most of this information, and more specific information about PDQ, can be found on the NCI's Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq. Also called Physician Data Query.
pelvis
The lower part of the abdomen, located between the hip bones.
PET scan
Positron emission tomography scan. A procedure in which a small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein, and a scanner is used to make detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body where the glucose is used. Because cancer cells often use more glucose than normal cells, the pictures can be used to find cancer cells in the body. Also called positron emission tomography scan.
pigment
A substance that gives color to tissue. Pigments are responsible for the color of skin, eyes, and hair.
primary tumor
The original tumor.
prognosis (prog-NO-sis)
The likely outcome or course of a disease; the chance of recovery or recurrence.
quality of life
The overall enjoyment of life. Many clinical trials assess the effects of cancer and its treatment on the quality of life. These studies measure aspects of an individual’s sense of well-being and ability to carry out various activities.
radiation (RAY-dee-AY-shun)
Energy released in the form of particle or electromagnetic waves. Common sources of radiation include radon gas, cosmic rays from outer space, medical x-rays, and energy given off by a radioisotope (unstable form of a chemical element that releases radiation as it breaks down and becomes more stable).
radiation therapy (RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uh-pee)
The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the body. Also called radiotherapy and irradiation.
radioactive (RAY-dee-oh-AK-tiv)
Giving off radiation.
radioactive seed (RAY-dee-oh-AK-tiv...)
A small, radioactive pellet that is placed in or near a tumor. Cancer cells are killed by the energy given off as the radioactive material breaks down and becomes more stable.
recur
To come back or to return.
recurrent cancer (ree-KER-ent KAN-ser)
Cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected. The cancer may come back to the same place as the original (primary) tumor or to another place in the body. Also called recurrence.
regional chemotherapy (REE-juh-nul KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment with anticancer drugs directed to a specific area of the body.
risk factor
Something that may increase the chance of developing a disease. Some examples of risk factors for cancer include age, a family history of certain cancers, use of tobacco products, certain eating habits, obesity, lack of exercise, exposure to radiation or other cancer-causing agents, and certain genetic changes.
sentinel lymph node
The first lymph node to which cancer is likely to spread from the primary tumor. When cancer spreads, the cancer cells may appear first in the sentinel node before spreading to other lymph nodes.
sentinel lymph node biopsy
Removal and examination of the sentinel node(s) (the first lymph node(s) to which cancer cells are likely to spread from a primary tumor). To identify the sentinel lymph node(s), the surgeon injects a radioactive substance, blue dye, or both near the tumor. The surgeon then uses a scanner to find the sentinel lymph node(s) containing the radioactive substance or looks for the lymph node(s) stained with dye. The surgeon then removes the sentinel node(s) to check for the presence of cancer cells.
side effect
A problem that occurs when treatment affects healthy tissues or organs. Some common side effects of cancer treatment are fatigue, pain, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, and mouth sores.
skin graft
Skin that is moved from one part of the body to another.
spinal column (SPY-nul KAH-lum)
The bones, muscles, tendons, and other tissues that reach from the base of the skull to the tailbone. The spinal column encloses the spinal cord and the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. Also called spine, backbone, and vertebral column.
squamous cell carcinoma (SKWAY-mus sel KAR-sih-NOH-muh)
Cancer that begins in squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales. Squamous cells are found in the tissue that forms the surface of the skin, the lining of the hollow organs of the body, and the passages of the respiratory and digestive tracts. Also called epidermoid carcinoma.
stage
The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.
stage 0 melanoma (... MEH-luh-NOH-muh)
Abnormal melanocytes (cells that make melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color) are found in the epidermis (outer layer of the skin). These abnormal melanocytes may become cancer and spread into nearby normal tissue. Also called melanoma in situ.
stage I melanoma
Stage I is divided into stages IA and IB. In stage IA, the tumor is not more than 1 millimeter thick, with no ulceration. The tumor is in the epidermis (outer layer of skin) and upper layer of the dermis (inner layer of skin). In stage IB, the tumor is either not more than 1 millimeter thick and it has ulceration or it has spread into the dermis or the tissue below the skin; or more than 1 but not more than 2 millimeters thick, with no ulceration.
stage II melanoma
Stage II is divided into stages IIA, IIB, and IIC. In stage IIA, the tumor is either more than 1 but not more than 2 millimeters thick, with ulceration; or more than 2 but not more than 4 millimeters thick, with no ulceration. In stage IIB, the tumor is either more than 2 but not more than 4 millimeters thick, with ulceration; or more than 4 millimeters thick, with no ulceration. In stage IIC, the tumor is more than 4 millimeters thick, with ulceration.
stage III melanoma
The tumor may be any thickness, with or without ulceration (formation of a break on the skin or surface of an organ), and either (1) has spread into a nearby lymph vessel and may have spread into nearby lymph nodes; or (2) has spread to 1 or more lymph nodes, which may be matted (not moveable).
stage IV melanoma
The tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
staging (STAY-jing)
Performing exams and tests to learn the extent of the cancer within the body, especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body. It is important to know the stage of the disease in order to plan the best treatment.
standard therapy (...THAYR-uh-pee)
In medicine, treatment that experts agree is appropriate, accepted, and widely used. Health care providers are obligated to provide patients with standard therapy. Also called standard of care or best practice.
subcutaneous
Beneath the skin.
surgery (SER-juh-ree)
A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.
symptom
An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain.
systemic chemotherapy (sis-TEH-mik KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment with anticancer drugs that travel through the blood to cells all over the body.
tissue (TISH-oo)
A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.
tumor (TOO-mer)
An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancerous), or malignant (cancerous). Also called neoplasm.
ulceration
The formation of a break on the skin or on the surface
of an organ. An ulcer forms when the surface cells die and are cast off.
Ulcers may be associated with cancer and other diseases.
ultraviolet radiation (UL-truh-VY-oh-let RAY-dee-AY-shun)
Invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun. UV radiation also comes from sun lamps and tanning beds. UV radiation can damage the skin and cause melanoma and other types of skin cancer. UV radiation that reaches the Earth's surface is made up of two types of rays, called UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays are more likely than UVA rays to cause sunburn, but UVA rays pass deeper into the skin. Scientists have long thought that UVB radiation can cause melanoma and other types of skin cancer. They now think that UVA radiation also may add to skin damage that can lead to skin cancer and cause premature aging. For this reason, skin specialists recommend that people use sunscreens that reflect, absorb, or scatter both kinds of UV radiation. Also called UV radiation.
urine (YOOR-in)
Fluid containing water and waste products. Urine is made by the kidneys, stored in the bladder, and leaves the body through the urethra.
vaccine
A substance or group of substances meant to cause the immune system to respond to a tumor or to microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses. A vaccine can help the body recognize and destroy cancer cells or microorganisms.
vein (vayn)
A blood vessel that carries blood to the heart from tissues and organs in the body.
wide local excision (…ek-SIH-zhun)
Surgery to cut out the cancer and some healthy tissue around it.
x-ray
A type of high-energy radiation. In low doses, x-rays are used to diagnose diseases by making pictures of the inside of the body. In high doses, x-rays are used to treat cancer.
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Table of Links
1 | http://cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/intraocularmelanoma/Patient |
2 | http://cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/skin/Patient |
3 | http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials |
4 | http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?diagnosis=42623&tt=1&a mp;format=1&cn=1 |
5 | http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?diagnosis=38834&tt=1&a mp;format=1&cn=1 |
6 | http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?diagnosis=38835&tt=1&a mp;format=1&cn=1 |
7 | http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?diagnosis=38836&tt=1&a mp;format=1&cn=1 |
8 | http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?diagnosis=38837&tt=1&a mp;format=1&cn=1 |
9 | http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?diagnosis=38838&tt=1&a mp;format=1&cn=1 |
10 | http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/melanoma |
11 | http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/melanoma |
12 | http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/moles-and-dysplastic-nevi |
13 | http://cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/skin/Patient |
14 | http://cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/skin/Patient |
15 | http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/biological |
16 | http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/therapy/sentinel-node-biopsy |
17 | http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/overview |
18 | http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understandingcancer/cancer |
19 | http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/staging |
20 | http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/chemotherapy-and-you |
21 | http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/radiation-therapy-and-you |
22 | http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping |
23 | http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/support |
24 | http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/cancerlibrary |
25 | http://dccps.cancer.gov/ocs/resources.html |
26 | https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/livehelp/welcome.asp |
27 | http://cancer.gov |
28 | https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/ncipubs |
29 | http://cancer.gov/clinical_trials |
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