Читать реферат по английскому: "Skin Cancer Essay Research Paper Skin CancerGone" Страница 2

(Назад) (Cкачать работу)

immunotherapy tries to get the person’s own body to fight the cancer. It uses

materials made from the infected person’s body to boost, direct, or restore the

body’s own natural defenses against the cancer. Photodynamic therapy uses a

certain type of light and a special photosensitive chemical to kill cancer cells

(9., pp 2-5).

Malignant melanoma is classified by stages. In Stage 0 melanoma, abnormal cells

are localized to the outer layer of the skin cells and do not invade deeper

tissues. At stage I, cancer is found in the epidermis and/or the dermis, but it

has not yet spread to nearby lymph nodes. The tumor measures less than 1.5

millimeters thick. At stage II, the tumor measures 1.5 millimeters to 4

millimeter thick. The cancer has spread to the lower part of the dermis, but

not into the tissue below the skin or into the nearby lymph nodes. At stage III,

indications are that the tumor has spread to nearby lymph nodes or there are

additional growths between the original tumor and the lymph nodes in the area.

At stage IV, the tumor has spread to other organs or to lymph nodes far away

from the original tumor. The type of treatment is based on the stage of the

cancer. Four of the most common kinds of treatments are: surgery, chemotherapy,

radiation therapy, and biological therapy. Surgery is the primary treatment for

all stages of melanoma. After surgery, chemotherapy is normally used to kill

any cancer cells that may remain (6., pp 2-5).

Individuals that have treatment for basal cell carcinoma should be clinically

examined every 6 months for at least 5 years. Thereafter, an examination for

recurrent growths or new tumors should be done on an annual basis. It has been

found that 36% of individuals who develop a basal cell carcinoma will develop a

second primary basal cell carcinoma within 5 years. Since squamous cell

carcinomas have definite metastatic potential, these patients should follow a 3

month re-examination schedule for the first several years, and then follow a 6

month schedule of examinations for an indefinite period of time (10., pp 4-6).

Overall, there is an increased incidence of second primary melanomas in affected

individuals. A minimum of 3 percent will develop second melanomas within 3

years. Thus, patients need close follow up for the development of subsequent

primary melanomas. An appropriate interval of re-examination may be 6 months

for patients with atypical moles and without a family history of melanoma. If

patients have not shown evidence of recurrence or a second primary melanoma by

the second anniversary of diagnosis, the interval between examinations can be

extended to 1 year. For patients with atypical moles, or a positive family

history of melanomas, examinations should be considered every 3 to 6 months (11).

The American Cancer Society reports that basal cell carcinoma, the most

prevalent skin cancer, and squamous cell carcinoma have a notable prognosis if

detected and treated early. Although, individuals with non-melanoma skin

cancers are at a high risk for developing future skin cancers. While melanoma

is the rarest of the skin cancers, it is the most deadly (7., pg. 1). The

American Cancer Society also states, “Malignant melanoma can spread to other

parts of the body quickly; however, when detected in its earliest stages, and

with proper treatment, it is highly curable. The 5-year relative survival rate

for patients with malignant melanoma is 87%. For localized malignant melanoma,

the 5-year relative survival rate is 94%; and rates for regional and distant

disease are 60% and 16%, respectively. About 82% of melanomas are diagnosed at

a local stage” (8., p 2).

When the statistics show that over one million new cases of skin cancer will be

diagnosed in the United States this year, Americans have their work cut out for

them. By the year 2000, Americans will have a 1 in 75 lifetime risk of

developing melanoma or other skin cancers (5., p 1). Early detection is by far

the most crucial element of surviving this terrible disease. Changing society’s

belief that being tanned connotes health and beauty continues to be a challenge.

The notion has to be replaced with the belief that staying out of the sun, or

taking extreme precautions while in the sun is smarter.

Похожие работы