Where does mucosal melanoma start?
While most melanomas develop in the skin, mucosal melanoma is always internal. It begins in the mucus membranes that line various parts of the body. This includes the head and neck region, the anus, the vagina and vulva, and the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms vary based on the location of the melanoma.
Is mucosal melanoma aggressive?
Mucosal melanoma is considered an aggressive form of melanoma.
What is the most effective treatment for melanoma?
The main treatment for melanoma is surgical removal, or excision, of the primary melanoma on the skin. The extent of the surgery depends on the thickness of the melanoma. Most melanomas are found when they are less than 1.0 mm thick, and outpatient surgery is often the only treatment needed.
What is primary mucosal melanoma?
Extracutaneous melanomas include ocular melanomas, mucosal and leptomeningeal melanomas, and rare cases of melanoma originating in some internal organs. Primary mucosal melanomas arise from melanocytes located in mucosal membranes lining respiratory, gastrointestinal and urogenital tract.
How do doctors treat malignant melanoma?
Usually, surgical removal of the lesion is adequate. Malignant melanoma, however, may require several treatment methods — depending on the size of the tumor — including surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy.
Why is melanoma so metastatic?
Melanoma occurs due to a mutation in melanin-producing skin cells. Doctors currently believe that too much exposure to ultraviolet light either from sun exposure or tanning beds is the leading cause. Metastatic melanoma occurs when the melanoma is not detected and treated early.
Does chemotherapy cure metastatic melanoma?
Metastases that cause symptoms but cannot be removed may be treated with radiation, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or chemotherapy. The treatment of widespread melanomas has changed in recent years as newer forms of immunotherapy and targeted drugs have been shown to be more effective than chemotherapy.
What are the symptoms of mucosal melanoma?
Some symptoms of mucosal melanoma may include: head and neck areas – nose bleeds, bleeding lump, ulcers, loss of sense of smell, nasal obstruction, a discolored area in the mouth, dentures that stop fitting properly anus or rectal areas – bleeding, pain in the area, diarrhea, constipation , a mass that is present
