He World Melanoma Day It is commemorated every May 23. The goal of remembering it every year is generate awareness about oncological disease. In addition, they share the preventive measuressince the variety of skin cancer that can be the most serious.
According to the oncologist and head of the Melanoma and Sarcoma Service at the Alexander Fleming Institute (IAF), Yanina Pflüger, he melanoma “It is a neoplasia that arises from melanocytes, which are the cells that produce pigment in the skin“.
Why cases are increasing in Argentina and who is most at risk
As the expert explained, in some countries concern about the disease has increased and they provide campaigns with prevention measures, which has caused a decrease in cases. However, in Argentina, there is a sustained increase in incidence.
Statistics indicate an increase in the number of skin cancer cases. Marcela Morenohead of the IAF Oncological Dermatology Service, referred to this and maintained that “it could correspond to patients over 40 years of age who were exposed to the sun inappropriately during their childhood, adolescence and early adulthood, which is the time of greatest sun exposure, and of greatest importance when talking about photoprotection.”
Melanoma can be treated early to access treatment. Moreno explained at this point that “It is important to be attentive when performing the self-examination to any injury that changes shape, color, size or begin to generate any symptoms such as: itching, burning or stinging“.
Regarding people who are most at risk of the disease, Pflüger maintains that “They are the ones who have phototype 1“, that is, with white skin and light eyes. In addition, he mentioned some of the factors that can contribute such as ultraviolet radiation, multiple moons, sunburn in past years and immunosuppression.
How to prevent melanoma
Regarding how to prevent the disease, experts suggest that photoprotection It is one of the most important, even more so at an early age. Moreno pointed out that we must avoid exposure to the sun during midday hours.
Other indications are avoid the use of tanning bedsand do once a year the clinical and dermoscopic dermatological control. In any case, for the latter, the times to do it will depend on the patient’s skin type and the number of types and moles they have.
Carolina Spinelli, dermatologist from the IAF Cutaneous Oncology Unit, highlighted that “the control must be of the entire skin with a dermatoscope hand”.
Treatment for melanoma
This point will depend on the instance in which the disease is diagnosed. Localized lesions begin to be operated on. complete resection. Then, it must bestudy surgically the regional lymph node area, to finally evaluate whether to add a systemic treatment.
Regarding melanomas detected in advanced instances, Pflüger explained that “systemic treatment with” is indicated.targeted therapy or immunotherapy”. He added that “there are new molecules in development that are generally being tested in clinical trials and many of them are used in combination.”
Source: Ambito
