Melanoma Center - Attleboro, MA
Attleboro Oncologist Doctors for MelanomaType of Physician: Oncologist What is a Oncologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; the oncologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer and other benign and malignant tumors. These subspecialists decide on and administer chemotherapy as well as consult with surgeons and radiotherapists on other treatment for cancer. Specialty: Oncology (Medical) Common Name: Cancer Doctor Oncologist Doctors in Attleboro * Hawthorn Medical Associates  Commonwealth Oncology  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Psychosocial Oncology  Dana Farber Cancer Institute Brigham & Women's Cancer Center  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Kenneth Anderson MD  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Gynecology Oncology Program  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Breast & Gynecologic  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Gynecology Oncology Program  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Gastroenterologic Oncology  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Breast & Gynecologic  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Infectious Disease  Dana Farber  Dana Farber Cancer Institute Brigham & Womens Cancer Center  Dana Farber Harvard Cancer Center  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Head & Neck Oncology  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Hematology/Oncology  Dana Farber Cancer Institute Brigham & Women's Cancer Center  Dana Farber Cancer Institute Medical Hematology/Oncology  Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology Program  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Hematology/Oncology  Dana Farber Cancer Institute Brigham & Womens Cancer Center  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Gynecology Oncology Program  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Medical Oncology  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Hematology Oncology  Dana Farber Cancer Institute  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Hematology/Oncology  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Breast & Gynecologic  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Hematology/Oncology  Dana Farber Cancer Institute Medical Hematology/Oncology  Edwin Alyea MD  Dana Farber Cancer Institute Thoracic Oncology  Dana Farber Cancer Institute Brigham & Women's Cancer Center  Dana Farber Cancer Institute  Dana Farber Cancer Institute Brigham & Womens Cancer Center  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Cambridge  MA Eye & Ear Infirmary Retinopathy Services  Massachusetts General Hospital Oncology  MGH Bone Marrow Transplant Program  MGH Pappas Center for Neuro Oncology  MGH Cancer Center Chairman  MGH Pappas Center for Neuro Oncology  MGH Bone Marrow Transplant Program  MGH Orthopaedic Oncology  MGH Orthopaedic Oncology  MGH Bone Marrow Transplant Program  MGH Pappas Center for Neuro Oncology  MGH Orthopaedic Oncology  MGH Orthopaedic Oncology  MGH Bone Marrow Transplant Program  Mass General North Shore Cancer Center  Drs Murray & Glynn MD PC  Robert Byrne MD  Northampton Internal Medicine Attleboro, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
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MelanomaWhat is melanoma?Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. It begins in cells in the skin called melanocytes. To understand melanoma, it is helpful to know about the skin and about melanocytes -- what they do, how they grow, and what happens when they become cancerous. The skin The skin is the body's largest organ. It protects against heat, sunlight, injury, and infection. It helps regulate body temperature, stores water and fat, and produces vitamin D. The skin has two main layers: the outer epidermis and the inner dermis.
Melanocytes and moles Melanocytes produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its natural color. When skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes produce more pigment, causing the skin to tan, or darken. Sometimes, clusters of melanocytes and surrounding tissue form noncancerous growths called moles. (Doctors also call a mole a nevus; the plural is nevi.) Moles are very common. Most people have between 10 and 40 moles. Moles may be pink, tan, brown, or a color that is very close to the person's normal skin tone. People who have dark skin tend to have dark moles. Moles can be flat or raised. They are usually round or oval and smaller than a pencil eraser. They may be present at birth or may appear later on -- usually before age 40. They tend to fade away in older pe... Recommended Reading Related to MelanomaQuestions To Ask Before Surgery » What is the operation (procedure) that is recommended?Ask your surgeon for a simplified explanation of the type of operation, technique used, and reasons it should be performed. (Pictures and drawings can tell patients and family a great deal.) Why was this specific procedure chosen over possible alternatives? What is the surgeon's experience with this procedure? Ask the surgeon about his/her experience with this procedure, its outcome, and the hospital or setting in which the operation will be performed. Is the nursing staff accustomed to caring for patients who have had this procedure? What is the reason that this procedure is necessary at this time?Is the procedure being done to relieve pain, diagnose a condition, correct deformity, for cosmetic reasons, or what exact purposes? Must the procedure be performed immediately?
What are the options if this pro...Other Related Melanoma ArticlesEmergency Contact for Attleboro
Nearby Attleboro Hospitals *Sturdy Memorial Hospital Arbour-Fuller Hospital Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island Butler Hospital The Miriam Hospital Taunton State Hospital Morton Hospital & Medical Center Our Lady of Fatima Hospital Providence VA Medical Center Roger Williams Medical Center Hasbro Children's Hospital Rhode Island Hospital Bradley Hospital Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island Landmark Medical Center Southern New England Rehabilitation Center St Joseph Health Services Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island Boston VA Healthcare System Brockton Kindred Specialty Hospital Stoughton Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center New England Sinai Hospital & Rehabilitation Center Eleanor Slater Hospital Pastore Center Caritas Norwood Hospital Charlton Memorial Hospital Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital Massachusetts Hospital School Milford Regional Medical Center Saint Anne's Hospital Westwood Lodge Hospital Kent Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Braintree Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital New Bedford Rehabilitation Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham South Shore Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital Milton Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital Eleanor Slater Hospital Zambarano Unit Quincy Medical Center Bournewood Hospital Caritas Carney Hospital Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged Faulkner Hospital Massachusetts Mental Health Center Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Newton Wellesley Hospital Arbour Hospital Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Westborough Radius Specialty Hospital Boston  VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus  New England Baptist Hospital  St Luke's Hospital  Brigham & Women's Hospital  Dana Farber Cancer Institute  Pembroke Hospital  Children's Hospital Boston  Kindred Hospital Boston  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center  Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center  Franciscan Hospital for Children  Boston Medical Center  Arbour HRI Hospital  Westborough State Hospital  Hubbard Regional Hospital  Tufts New England Medical Center  M I T Medical  Mount Auburn Hospital  Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary  Massachusetts General Hospital  Newport Hospital  Shriners Hospitals for Children Boston Burn Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Melanoma by Our Doctors
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Cancer Risk Factors
- Though it's difficult to say why some people develop cancer while others don't, research shows that certain risk factors increase a person's odds of developing cancer. These risk factors include growing older, family history of cancer, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and exposure to sunlight, ionizing radiation, certain chemicals, and some viruses and bacteria.
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Hodgkin's Disease
- Hodgkin's disease is a cancer of the lymphatic system with symptoms that include unexplained, recurring fevers, unexplained weight loss, itchy skin, and painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, and groin. Treatment for adult Hodgkin's disease depends on the staging of the disease, the lymph nodes' size, and the health of the patient.
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Skin Cancer
- Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in humans. There are three main types of skin cancer; basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (the nonmelanoma skin cancers), and melanoma.
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Skin Tag
- A skin tag is a small benign growth of skin that projects from the surrounding skin. Skin tags can vary in appearance (smooth, irregular, flesh colored, dark pigment, raised). Skin tags generally do not cause symptoms unless repeatedly irritated. Treatment for skin tag varies depending on the location on the body.
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Advance Medical Directives (Living Will, Power of Attorney, and Health Care Proxy)
- Advance directives are designed to outline a person's wishes and preferences in regard to medical treatments and interventions. Advance directives generally fall into three categories: living will, power of attorney, and health-care proxy.
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Sun-Sensitive Drugs (Photosensitivity to Drugs)
- Sun sensitivity (photosensitivity) is an inflammation of the skin induced by the combination of medications or substances and sunlight. The affect on the skin is redness, which looks similar to a sunburn. Generally, these reactions are either phototoxic or photoallergic. Phototoxic drugs are more common than photoallergic drugs. Symptoms of phototoxic reactions are a burning and stinging sensation and then redness. Symptoms of photoallergic reactions are itching, redness, swelling, blisters of the affected area. Treatment generally is discontinuation of the medication and topical application of creams.
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Sunscreen
- Sunscreens are crucial for sun protection. Sun damage to the skin from exposure to ultraviolet rays is a risk factor for skin cancer and melanoma. To avoid sunburn, people should limit sun exposure during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., wear protective clothing, and use a sunscreen. People with sensitive skin should use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more.
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Cancer
- Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
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Freckles
- Freckles are flat circular spots on the skin that may be red, yellow, tan, light brown, brown, or black in color. Lentigo is the term used to describe certain types of darker freckles. Ephelis typically appear during the sunny months. Freckles can be prevented with sunscreens, the use of wide-brimmed hats, sun-protective clothing, avoiding peak sun hours, and seeking shade and staying indoors.
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Disease Prevention in Men
- Disease prevention in men includes routine screening tests that are part of basic prevention medicine. Take an active role in your own health care and discuss screening tests with your doctor early in life. Age of screening and timing of screening depends upon the condition being assessed.
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Disease Prevention in Women
- Disease prevention in women includes screening tests that are a basic part of prevention medicine. All screening tests are commonly available through your general doctor. Some specialized tests may be available elsewhere.
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Birthmark
- Birthmarks and other abnormal skin pigmentation is caused by the body's inability to produce enough melanin. Abnormal skin pigmentation can cause conditions such as vitiligo, pigmentation loss, melasma, albinism, port wine stains, macular stains and hemangioma.
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Scars
- Scar formation is a natural part of the healing process after injury. The depth and size of the wound incision and the location of the injury impact the scar's characteristics, but your age, heredity and even sex or ethnicity will affect how your skin reacts.
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Caregiving
- Most often, caregivers take care of other adults who are ill or disabled. Less often, caregivers are grandparents raising their grandchildren. The majority of caregivers are middle-aged women. Caregiving can be very stressful, so it's important to recognize when it's putting to much strain on you and to take steps to prevent/relieve stress.
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Sunburn (Sun Poisoning)
- Sunburn is caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun. UV rays can also damage the eyes. Repeated overexposure to UV rays also increases the risk for scarring, freckles, wrinkles, and dry skin. Symptoms of sunburn include painful, red, tender, and hot skin. The skin may blister, swell, and peel. Sun poisoning (severe sunburn) include nausea, fever, chills, rapid pulse, dizziness and more. Treatment for sunburn depends upon the severity. Sun protection and sunscreen for an individual's skin type is recommended to decrease the chance of sunburn.
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Enlarged Spleen (Splenomegaly)
- The spleen enlarges if it is asked to do excessive work in filtering or manufacturing blood cells, if there is abnormal blood flow to it, or if it is invaded with abnormal cells or deposits. Symptoms of an enlarged spleen may include weakness and fatigue, easy bleeding, and poor white blood cell function. Treatment of an enlarged spleen is focused toward the cause of the splenomegaly. Surgery may be required to remove the spleen.
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Moles
- Moles are small skin growths that may appear flat or raised and are often tan, brown, black, reddish brown, or skin colored. They are typically about the size of a pencil eraser. There are three types of moles. Monthly skin self-exams are essential in the early detection of abnormal moles and melanomas.
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Cancer Risk Factors
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Medications
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Procedures & Tests
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Doctor's & Expert's Views
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