Uveal Melanoma Case Study

Ocular Melanoma: two other names for this is called Uveal Melanoma & Choroidal Melanoma. These are said to be the rarest forms of melanoma which can occur in the eyes.

Any type of change size, color, or shape of a mole is an important warning sign. For weeks or months, watch the changes that occur. The ABCDE rule is a helpful rule to estimate skin changes. A is asymmetry. If one half of a mole does not match the other have there is no symmetry. B is border irregularity. Jagged, uneven, or blurred edges of a mole should catch your attention. C is color. Changes in the mole color, particularly from the edge of the mole to the middle. D is for the diameter. If the mole is larger than 6mm the mole should be of concern. E is evolution. Changes in the surface size and shape, as well as itching or tenderness should be observed. Often time’s melanoma is developed in unmarked skin, but can also develop in existing moles or birthmarks (“Melanoma and Skin Cancer Symptoms”). Skin examinations should be an often routine provided by a doctor. Any notice of suspicious signs, see a health care provider as quick as possible. Examinations by a dermatologist are a potential way to see if you have developed skin cancer. If during the examination skin cancer is suspected a biopsy will probably be the next process (Knight).

Many sporadic melanomas are also found to have mutations or loss of expression of this tumor suppressor gene, known to act in the same signaling pathway as the retinoblasma cases (see 3.3 Tumor suppressor genes).

Vitiligo is a skin pigmentation disorder. This disorder can be recognized by the presence of the patches and macules that are depigmented. For instance, someone with darker skin will have white patches among their body, as well as some white hair. Melanoma Associated Hypopigmentation is also a depigmentation of the skin, but it can be associated with immunotherapeutic agent treatments. Vitiligo and Melanoma Associated Hypopigmentation are both leukodermas. They also seem to link to MM which is Malignant Melanoma.

Although there are several types of skin cancer, the most aggressive form is melanoma. This cancer of the skin involves mass replication of the pigment producing melanocyte cells, which are located in the epidermis, below the basal layer. There are several factors involved with the onset of melanoma including, exposure to ultraviolet rays, genetic predisposition, numerous nevi (moles), immunosuppression, and environmental exposure to carcinogens.

A melanoma is a fatal form of skin cancer tumor of the melanocyte a melanin-producing cell in the skin. Melanoma is likely to occur to people with lighter skin color. Most melanoma seems like a regular mole but it has an uneven border. Melanoma may be inherited and it increases when you are exposed to too much sunlight or have sunburn.1 We can tell the difference between melanoma and a normal mole by the mnemonic ABCDE: A stands for asymmetry, B stands for border irregularity, C stands for color variation, D is for diameter, and E is for evolution.2 If we use the acronym ABCDE, then we can identify the melanoma more easily.

Histopathological examination of an ultrasound-guided biopsy confirmed liver metastasis from a melanoma .Fig 3. Additional mutation

     Distinguishing melanoma may seem hard to do, but is not so once a person is informed on what they should be looking for. They may appear similar to moles, and may be blue or black in color. Though they will usually lack the symmetry and border regularity of a common mole, and may have variance in their coloring. Melanomas can either appear suddenly, or develop slowly near a preexisting mole. In rare cases, melanomas may form on top of previously formed moles or birthmarks, but will also come with the effects of pain, itching, or bleeding. These moles may begin to exhibit new and/or strange characteristics such as

May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. Did you know you can use CAPTUREPROOF to create a visual health record of moles and skin discoloration?

The overall incidence of liver- dominant metastatic melanoma is low, particularly in comparison with that of other primary tumors, such as colon and breast cancer. However, ocular melanoma is the most common intraocular malignant tumor in adults.Due to its special biology, metastatic lesions most commonly develop most commonly in the

Malignant melanoma is the most commonly seen skin cancer and it has the highest number of deaths among diseases of the skin (Friedman, Rigel, Kopf and Polsky, 2005). Among the many factors that cause this cutaneous cancer genetic modifications, viruses, carcinogens and excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays are the most commonly occurring (Friedman, Rigel, Kopf and Polsky, 2005). Malignant melanoma affects all areas of the skin and the disease forms in melanocytes, which are the cells in which pigments (melanin) are synthesized (Melanoma Treatment). The cancer has its origin in the epidermis and affect squamous and basal cells. The disease usually affects the trunk, arms and legs but can also be present in the eye, affecting the

Harmful tumors require quick regulation and treatment, as threatening developments may grow quickly and metastasize (spread all through the body) at a disturbing rate. Metastases are auxiliary tumors which can show up at any area all through the body, which is an immediate impact of disease spreading by means of blood and lymph hubs.

Individuals in Australia may develop six to eight lesions in their entire lives (7). The prevalence rate of solar keratosis is 11-25% in the USA (8). The prevalence rate of North-West England are 15.4% in men and 5.9% in women (9). The incident rate is higher in the fair-skinned individuals. Study by Salasche showed that the incident rate is 60% with previous history of solar keratosis, whereas only 19% with those individuals without solar keratosis (7). Pre-malignant lesions such as solar keratosis have shown to develop into SCC. However, not all solar keratosis develops into cancer and some have shown to regress with time (10). The risk of malignant transformation is between 0.15% and 80%, and individual who has more than five solar keratosis lesions are at higher risk (5). Another study showed 44% of metastatic SCC is transformed from solar keratosis (11). In addition, immunocompromised patients are up to 250 times more likely to develop solar keratosis compared to healthy individuals, and it is a risk factor for metastatic disease (5,

Primary intraocular cancers start inside your eyes. For adults, melanoma is the most common primary intraocular cancer, followed by primary intraocular lymphoma. For children, retinoblastoma is the most common primary intraocular cancer, and medulloepithelioma is the next most common These childhood cancers are discussed in Retinoblastoma. Although the eyelid is formed to shield the eye, its skin is extremely thin and carries many fragile tissues that may be injured by UV light. Inside the eye, the lens and the cornea, both translucent, filter UV rays, but by doing so for many years, they may become damaged. This is especially accurate for the lens, which through years of UV absorption, turns yellowish and cataractous. The lens is the eye's

Melanoma is a dangerous invasive cancer which starts in melanin producing cells (melanocytes) usually located at the bottom of the skins epidermal layer. Although certain individuals have a genetic propensity for melanoma, it is usually triggered by excessive UV exposure from sunlight or tanning beds (Mayo Clinic, 2016a). At early stages it is relatively easy to treat, however, recurrences are common. At later stages melanoma treatments are less effective since it tends to metastasize and spread easily through the lymphatic system (Mayo Clinic, 2016a).. The root cause of malignant melanoma is due to mutations in the p53 gene protein which invariably leads to further mutations.