Prevention and screening
The risk factor best known of malignant melanoma is exposure to ultraviolet radiation, including intense and repeated for short periods. The role of exposure in childhood has recently been emphasized. The prevention is to avoid sun exposure to the hottest hours of the day, to protect the skin by covering clothing and / or creams antisolaire type “sunscreen.” These tips are primarily directed to issues skinned little or no tanning, especially if they are carriers of multiple nevi or a dysplastic nevus syndrome.
The preventive surgery congenital nevi is controversial. She was admitted for major congenital nevi more than 20 cm in diameter but smaller discussed.
Early detection of malignant melanoma for the treatment of tumors at a stage where they are curable. The improvement in survival at 5 years is attributed to early detection of thin melanomas (less than 0.76 mm). Information campaigns, dissemination of photographs in the public are important.
The clinical and photographic subjects at risk is recommended. The prevention of melanoma requires the limitation of pollution may reduce the photoprotection atmosphere (ozone layer) and informing the people about the risks of sudden and repeated exposures to sunlight, an individual photoprotection understood adapted to each phototype, and Finally, screening of individuals at high risk of melanoma.
Among the clinical criteria studied, the most significant parameters were found to be in descending order:
* A total of more than 20 nevi;
* The presence of freckles;
* The presence of atypical naevi, especially when there are 3 or more;
* A history of sunburn.
Suncreams addition, chemoprevention been studied very serious on the part of researchers.
Vitamin A and its analogues have a known activity in the treatment and prevention of cancer. A little therapeutic activity in metastatic melanoma has been observed and there appears to have a protective effect against cancers of the skin. Retinoids inhibit in vitro growth of melanoma cells and induce differentiation of cancer cells into mature melanocytes. Patients with dysplastic naevi have been treated (Arizona) with vitamin A acid locally. Promising results appear to have been obtained. Further tests were conducted with oral isotretinoin.
Beta-carotene and alpha tocopherol are antioxidants that can trap free radicals. Studies are under way.
The difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) is an inhibitor of decarboxylase onithine. It inhibits the development of certain cancer cells (bladder cancer, melanoma).
The 5-fluorouracil appears to also produce interesting results.
Vaccines against melanoma is one of the avenues of research that should change in the future the poor prognosis of these tumors.