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Health Information Frequently Asked Questions about Cancer Care Treatment Related Health Advocate Magazine Articles Cancer Prevention and Screening Cancer Care Related Health Links
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Melanoma: A Patient’s Guide Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that usually occurs in the skin but can also start in the eye or other parts of the body such as the anus, esophagus and/or the vulva. Melanoma takes its name from the melanocytes in the body that produce the pigment, or melanin, that colors the skin. Melanoma is a cancer that occurs when these melanocytes change and grow abnormally. Ocular melanoma (melanoma of the eye) sometimes behaves differently from melanoma of the skin and other parts of the body. If you have ocular melanoma, please ask your physician for specific information about that form of cancer, since much of the information that follows refers specifically to melanoma of the skin. Isn't melanoma just another skin cancer? Characteristics of abnormal moles What are the types of melanoma? What does the term "unknown primary" mean? What treatment should I receive? What is combination or sequential therapy? Summary of treatment options by stage. How often should I be seen by my physician? What about my psychological well-being? We hope this information helps you to better understand melanoma and its treatment. There are many other resources available to you, provided free of charge, by the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute. The American Dermatology Society and the Skin Cancer Foundaton also have pamphlets available for a nominal cost. Their numbers are listed below:
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