Posted on 05/07/2003 10:54:41 AM PDT by HuntsvilleTxVeteran
WORLD-first Melbourne research into a little-known but deadly skin cancer could save thousands of lives.
Australia has the highest rate of melanomas in the world / AP
Up to 350 Australians die a year because of this cancer, which begins as a tiny pink pimple-like tumour.
But breakthrough research is set to shake up how the public and doctors check for melanomas.
Alfred hospital doctors found that nodular melanomas accounted for less than 15 per cent of melanoma cancers but caused up to 70 per cent of the deadliest type, called deep melanomas.
Most people look only for irregular-shaped brown/black spots.
But the research shows the pimple-like melanoma is the most dangerous.
These are often missed at the start – when survival rates are highest – because people have been taught to focus on common melanomas.
Just one severe case of sunburn can cause a nodular melanoma, which can appear anywhere on the body, often the head or neck. It grows much faster than other melanomas, so short delays in treatment can be fatal.
The Alfred hospital has set up a website to help patients tell normal lumps from nodular melanomas.
Almost half of people with nodular melanomas left undetected until they are deep – thicker than 3mm – will die. If detected early, when thinner than 1mm, the survival rate is 95 per cent.
Study co-author Associate Professor John Kelly said the discovery would save many lives if people followed the advice.
"Worldwide, thousands of lives; and in Australia, if it worked perfectly, we're talking 300, 350 lives a year," said Professor Kelly, head of the Alfred's Victorian Melanoma Service.
"It won't be perfect of course but that's the potential. That's the target."
Nodular melanomas are raised from the start.
They are usually red or pink, round or oval, and grow over months.
The Alfred today launches a campaign to alert the public to the dangers and features of nodular melanomas.
Doctors will receive the information through the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the National Divisions of General Practice.
Many GPs cut out melanomas themselves, without referring to a specialist, so training them to spot nodular melanomas is crucial to saving lives.
The research was sparked because Alfred doctors noticed melanoma deaths had not dropped despite massive awareness campaigns.
"In spite of all the advances in early diagnosis, death rates had risen over the last 40 years progressively," Professor Kelly said.
"We've done a very good job detecting common melanomas early, and there's great public awareness, and very good awareness among not only doctors but health care professionals in general.
"But nodular melanomas are clearly a different problem, and that needs to be addressed."
He said they made up 10 to 15 per cent of all melanomas, but accounted for 60 to 70 per cent of high-risk melanomas. High-risk melanomas, or deep melanomas, are those thicker than 3mm, and are the most life-threatening.
"Nodular melanoma is not being detected early. They look different to what we've generally been teaching people," he said.
Australia has the highest rate of melanomas in the world, with 7000 to 8000 found a year.
About 1000 are nodular melanomas and up to 350 will cause death.
About 800 Australians die a year from all types of melanoma.
Professor Kelly said about half of nodular melanomas would become deep, and about 45 per cent of people with deep melanoma would die.
Two Alfred hospital studies revealing the dangers of nodular melanomas have been published in Archives of Dermatology and the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Nodular melanomas can grow to a dangerous thickness in as little as two months, so anyone with a suspect lump for longer than a month is urged to see a GP.
Cancer Council Victoria director Professor David Hill yesterday welcomed the discovery.
"We are lucky in Australia and Victoria to have some of the leading skin cancer researchers in the world, and Professor Kelly is one of them," Professor Hill said.
"This is an important insight to the way in which people and their doctors can become aware of a dangerous form of skin cancer."
Net link: www.alfred.org.au/departments/victorianmelanoma service.html
Or www.sunsmart.com.au
Thankfully, only once was the term, "pre-cancerous melanoma" used.
Regards
When I finally figured out this was a repeat "scratch" I couldn't account for, (I originally, stupidly, thought I scratched myself in sleep or something... I'm a bit of a klutz), I headed to the doctor. Sure enough, basal cell carcinoma. I was 29 years old, and the doctors theorized I'd had it for about 4-5 years. By the time I received treatment via MOHS surgery (Highly recommended to anyone who has this), they removed half my forehead down to the skullbone and had to reshape my face. Kind of an early facelift. I looked pretty surprised all the time for about 2 weeks or so. I cannot stress enough the importance of using sunscreen to my sun-loving 12 year old daughter. Because this is also genetic. I'm nearly 32 now and check myself constantly to be sure it isn't coming back.
About Basal Cell Carcinoma (with pictures for comparison)
Melanoma is dangerous and deadly. Basal Cell can be as well, if left unchecked.
Check out the links after your post. One of them spoke about a "pearly" lump.
Glad to hear you made it through. And your advice to others is great, even those of you who "tan easily". We need all Freepers healthy!
Thank you, HuntsvilleTxVeteran
I believe AZ is #2 right behind Australia.
It has nothing to do with the humidity (or lack if it), it's the intensity of the sun's rays. Your chances of getting skin cancer is just as high during our rainy, monsoon season in the summer, just as it is in the drier parts of the year.
Libby, don't believe that doc, he's not very well informed. You have the perfect type of skin that is at risk for melanoma. You are absolutely right, melanoma doesn't care about skin type.
And on a side note, a very dear friend of mine, Irish, contracted stg.III melanoma....and survived, thank God.
Then how can you account for the harmful sunrays in places like Hawaii, The Carribean, Florida, ect??? This is extremely dangerous thought, I'd like to hear your sources. I know of no dermatologist (or scientist) who'd go out and tell their paitents to leave the sunblock at home "because it's humid, so no worry."
Rubbish.
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