Melanoma Center - Silver Spring, MD
Silver Spring 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 Silver Spring * Drs Barr & Schwartz MD  Frederick Pearson Smith MD  National Institutes of Health Cancer & Prevention  National Cancer Institute  Carolyn B Hendricks MD PA & Rebecca D Kaltman MD  Chesapeake Oncology & Hematology Associates  Chesapeake Oncology & Hematology Associates  Chesapeake Oncology & Hematology Associates  Chesapeake Oncology & Hematology Associates  Cancer Care Center of Frederick & Mt. Airy  Cancer Care Center of Frederick & Mount Airy  Cancer Care Center of Frederick & Mount Airy  Cancer Care Center of Frederick & Mount Airy  Cancer Care Center of Frederick & Mount Airy  Chesapeake Oncology & Hematology Associates  Harbor Hospital  Harbor Hospital  Annapolis Oncology Center  University of Maryland Pulmonary & Critical Care  Mercy Medical Center  Mercy Medical Center  Sinai Hospital Cancer Institute  Sinai Hospital Cancer Institute  Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins  Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins  Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins  David S Ettinger MD  John Fetting MD  Rosalyn Juergens MD  Stuart Grossman MD & Jaishri Blakely MD  Rosalyn Juergens MD  Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center  Rosalyn Juergens MD  JHH Urology  Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins  John Hopkins Hospital Pediatric Primary Care  Baltimore Oncology & Hematology  John Hopkins Hospital Pediatric Primary Care  William Sharfman MD  National Institute on Aging Research Lab  Maryland Oncology Towson PA  Maryland Oncology Towson PA  Maryland Oncology Towson PA  Maryland Oncology Towson PA  Eastern Shore Oncology PC Silver Spring, MarylandUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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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 MelanomaWhat is radiation therapy?In radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy), high-energy rays are used to damage cancer cells and stop them from growing and dividing. A specialist in radiation therapy is called a radiation oncologist. What are the types of radiation therapy? External radiation therapy is usually given on an outpatient basis in a hospital or clinic 5 days a week for a number of weeks. Patients are not radioactive during or after the treatment. For internal radiation therapy, the patient stays in the hospital for a few days. The implant may be temporary or pe... Other Related Melanoma ArticlesEmergency Contact for Silver Spring
Nearby Silver Spring Hospitals *Holy Cross Hospital Walter Reed Army Medical Center Washington Adventist Hospital National Institutes of Health Providence Hospital Psychiatric Institute of Washington The HSC Pediatric Center National Rehabilitation Hospital Washington DC VA Medical Center Washington Hospital Center Children's National Medical Center Suburban Hospital Howard University Hospital Sibley Memorial Hospital Georgetown University Hospital The George Washington University Hospital Gladys Spellman Specialty Hospital Prince George's Hospital Center The Specialty Hospital of Washington Doctors Community Hospital Virginia Hospital Center United Medical Center Laurel Regional Hospital Saint Elizabeth's Hospital Montgomery General Hospital Dominion Hospital Shady Grove Adventist Hospital Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health Adventist HealthCare The Specialty Hospital of Washington-Hadley Inova Alexandria Hospital Inova Fairfax Hospital Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute Howard County General Hospital Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Reston Hospital Center Fort Washington Hospital Southern Maryland Hospital Center Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Sheppard Pratt at Ellicott City Baltimore Washington Medical Center Inova Loudoun Hospital Center Spring Grove Hospital Center Anne Arundel Medical Center  Saint Agnes Hospital  Kernan Hospital  Springfield Hospital Center  Harbor Hospital Center  Northwest Hospital  Potomac Hospital  Bon Secours Baltimore Health System  Prince William Hospital  North Spring Behavioral Healthcare  Baltimore VA Medical Center  University of Maryland Medical Center  University Specialty Hospital  Maryland General Hospital  Mercy Medical Center  Graydon Manor Behavioral Health  Kennedy Krieger Institute  Johns Hopkins Hospital  Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center & Hospital  Sinai Hospital of Baltimore  Union Memorial Hospital  Civista Medical Center  Mt Washington Pediatric Hospital  Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center  Good Samaritan Hospital of Maryland  Sheppard Pratt Health System  Greater Baltimore Medical Center  St Joseph Medical Center 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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