Melanoma Center - Bell Gardens, CA
Bell Gardens 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 Bell Gardens * Beverly Oncology  Wilshire Oncology Medical Group  Glenn Tisman MD  Ghassan Al-Jazayrly MD  Wilshire Oncology Medical Group  City of Hope National Medical Center Medical Oncology  City of Hope National Medical Center Medical Oncology  City of Hope National Medical Center Medical Oncology  City of Hope National Medical Center Medical Oncology  City of Hope National Medical Center Medical Oncology  City of Hope National Medical Center Medical Oncology  City of Hope National Medical Center Medical Oncology  City of Hope National Medical Center Medical Oncology  City of Hope National Medical Center Medical Oncology  City of Hope National Medical Center Medical Oncology  City of Hope National Medical Center Medical Oncology  City of Hope National Medical Center Medical Oncology  City of Hope National Medical Center Medical Oncology  City of Hope National Medical Center Medical Oncology  City of Hope National Medical Center Medical Oncology  City of Hope National Medical Center Medical Oncology  City of Hope National Medical Center Medical Oncology  Osborne Head and Neck Institute  East Valley Hematology Oncology Medical Group Inc  Magan Medical Clinic  UCLA Neuro-Oncology  UCLA Neuro-Oncology  William H Isacoff MD  Pacific Shores Medical Group  Lee S Rosen MD  Armando E Giuliano MD & Alice P Chung MD  Olive View Medical Center  Wilshire Oncology Medical Group  Tri Valley Oncology & Hematology  Riverside Medical Clinic  Otis Gaddis MD  Evan Slater MD  San Diego Cancer Center  San Diego Pacific Oncology & Hematology Associates  San Diego Pacific Oncology & Hematology Associates  UCSD Moores Cancer Center Hematology Oncology Bell Gardens, CaliforniaUpcoming 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 Bell Gardens
Nearby Bell Gardens Hospitals *Downey Regional Medical Center Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center St Francis Medical Center Los Angeles Community Hospital Beverly Hospital East Los Angeles Doctors Hospital Community Hospital of Huntington Park Coast Plaza Doctors Hospital Monterey Park Hospital Metropolitan State Hospital Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital Promise Hospital of East Los Angeles Suburban Medical Center Campus Martin Luther King Jr MAC Service Center Promise Hospital of East Los Angeles Norwalk Community Hospital College Hospital Cerritos Bellflower Medical Center LAC + USC Medical Center LAC + USC Medical Center Women's & Children's Hospital White Memorial Medical Center Garfield Medical Center USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center USC University Hospital City of Angels Medical Center Ingleside Campus Lakewood Regional Medical Center California Hospital Medical Center BHC Alhambra Hospital Orthopaedic Medical Center Greater El Monte Community Hospital Alhambra Hospital Medical Center Pacific Alliance Medical Center Whittier Hospital Medical Center Kaiser Mental Health Center Kindred Hospital La Mirada Good Samaritan Hospital Barlow Respiratory Hospital San Gabriel Valley Medical Center St Vincent Medical Center Memorial Hospital of Gardena Vista Hospital of South Bay  Gateways Hospital & Mental Health Center  Tri-City Regional Medical Center  Los Angeles Metropolitan Medical Center  Shriners Hospitals for Children Los Angeles  La Palma Intercommunity Hospital  Temple Community Hospital  Long Beach Memorial Medical Center  Miller Children's Hospital  Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center Centinela Campus  Pacific Hospital of Long Beach  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Baldwin Park  Huntington Hospital  Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center  Childrens Hospital Los Angeles  Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center  Los Angeles Metropolitan Medical Center Hawthorne Campus  Vista Specialty Hospital of San Gabriel Valley  Community Hospital of Long Beach  Los Alamitos Medical Center  Aurora Las Encinas Hospital  LAC Harbor UCLA Medical Center  VA Greater Los Angeles HealthCare System  Glendale Memorial Hospital & Health Center  Methodist Hospital  Kindred Hospital Los Angeles  St Mary Medical Center  Anaheim General Hospital  Glendale Adventist Medical Center  West Anaheim Medical Center  Citrus Valley Medical Center Queen of the Valley Campus  Hollywood Community Hospital  VA Long Beach Healthcare System  Olympia Medical Center  Doctor's Hospital West Covina 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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Pictures, Images & Quizzes
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Doctor's & Expert's Views
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