Melanoma & Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Melanoma

Melanoma is a potentially life-threatening skin cancer of the melanocytes, the cells that make melanin (brown pigment). Melanoma's fatality rate is higher than that of basal cell and squamous cell cancers; it accounts for more than 80 percent of all skin-cancer deaths. Early detection and treatment greatly increase the likelihood of cure. Performing a self-examination in front of a mirror is the best way to detect melanoma in its early stages. If melanoma is suspected, a doctor should be contacted immediately.

Symptoms of Melanoma

Early signs of melanoma are related to changes in shape or color of existing moles, or the development of new ones. Early signs of melanoma are generally identified by the mnemonic ABCDE:

Asymmetry
Border irregularity
Color variation
Diameter greater than 6mm
Evolution over time

Early signs of melanoma may develop from existing moles or may resemble moles. The majority of melanomas are black or brown, but can also be skin-colored, pink, red, purple, blue or white. During later stages, a melanoma may itch or bleed. If a melanoma is diagnosed and treated in its early stages, it is usually curable; however, during later stages, it can rapidly spread to other parts of the body, become hard to treat, and possibly be fatal.

Causes of Melanoma

What causes melanoma is not known, although there are many suspected risk factors, including:

Familial tendency to develop freckles or prominent/atypical moles
Presence of many freckles, moles, large moles or atypical moles
Family history of melanoma
Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation
Overexposure to sunlight prior to age 18
Caucasian ancestry, with fair skin
Sun sensitivity or poor tanning ability
Immune-system deficiency
Previous melanoma

Although Caucasian ancestry is a suspected risk factor, all races and skin tones are susceptible to melanoma.

Treatment for Melanoma

Treatment for melanoma depends on its location, thickness and progression, as well as the patient’s age, health, medical history and preferences.

A biopsy is often performed to determine the extent of the cancer. Most often, the appropriate treatment is surgery, followed by adjuvant therapy, including interferon and vaccines, for patients at great risk for the cancer’s spreading throughout the body. Other common options are chemotherapy and radiation therapy, as well as biologic therapy, which includes interferon, cytokines, monoclonal antibodies and vaccines, to improve the body’s self-defense abilities.

Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Soft tissue tumors are those that develop in the connective tissue as opposed to bone. Skeletal muscle, fat, tendons, fibrous tissue, nerves and blood vessels are all considered soft tissue. Malignant, or cancerous, soft tissue tumors are referred to as sarcomas.

Soft tissue sarcomas may occur in any part of the body, but are most frequently found in the head, neck, abdomen, trunk, arms or legs. There are a number of different types of soft tissue sarcomas that vary depending on the tissue in which the malignancy initially occurred.

Risk Factors for Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Some people may face an increased risk of developing soft tissue sarcomas. Risk factors that may be associated with this condition may include:

Certain inherited disorders
Previous radiation therapy treatment
Exposure to some types of chemicals
Chronic lymphedema

Symptoms of Soft Tissue Sarcoma

The symptoms that may arise from a soft tissue sarcoma can vary depending on where the tumor has formed. Often, if it is on an arm or leg, the patient will notice a small, painless bulge beneath the skin. In cases where the sarcoma has formed within the abdomen, however, it may remain asymptomatic until it reaches a fairly large size. At that point, the sarcoma may begin to place pressure on nerves, muscles, blood vessels or organs in the area and cause pain or difficulty breathing.

Diagnosis of Soft Tissue Sarcoma

To diagnose a soft tissue sarcoma, a biopsy is performed. A portion of the tumor or the entire tumor will be removed to be analyzed in a laboratory. This provides the doctor with information about the cancer that helps determine the best course of treatment.

Treatment of Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Soft tissue sarcomas are typically treated with surgery. The tumor is removed along with a margin of surrounding tissue to maximize the chances of eradicating all cancerous cells and preventing recurrence. Some patients may require radiation therapy or chemotherapy in addition to surgery.