South Shore Skin Center & Spa Dermatologists Weigh in on New Melanoma Drug
"The breakthrough cancer medication from Bristol-Myers Squibb is Yervoy and it is specifically for patients with late-stage or metastatic melanoma. This is an exciting new weapon in the fight against skin cancer. We have two drugs out there that are used in the treatment of stage 3 and stage 4 melanoma – Interferon (which was approved a decade ago) and Dacarbazine. Yervoy is the first medication shown to prolong survival," explained Dr. Ramzi Saad, M.D., dermatologist at South Shore Skin Center and Spa.
He continued, " Yervoy is going to be a promising option for many. It prolongs life by six and a half months or more. The big issue is the significant side effect profile. But, Yervoy will undergo further rigorous testing to define it's optimal use on melanoma patients."
Over the past two years, South Shore Skin Center and Spa has seen a significant increase in the number of South Shore and Cape Cod patients at their practice being diagnosed with stage 1 and stage 2 melanoma. The doctors at South Shore Skin Center and Spa believe that one of the potential directions that may be taken with Yervoy is that it could be given to patients in the earlier stages (stage 1 or stage 2 melanoma) for protective results as well as for greater results in prolonging survival.
According to South Shore Skin Center and Spa's dermatologists, early detection is imperative in the prevention and treatment of melanoma. If undetected and untreated, melanoma can quickly spread to the major organs and lymph nodes.
"Skin cancer is primarily caused by prolonged exposure to Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from the sun or from tanning booths. UVA and UVB rays are present in tanning booths as well as on cloudy days and exposed skin is left vulnerable without sunblock or sunscreen. We're all exposed to these rays every day, each time we go outdoors and the repeated exposure builds over time," noted Dr. Richard Eisen, M.D. Dermatologist at South Shore Skin Center and Spa.
Protecting Against Skin Cancer
South Shore Skin Center's physicians remind adults and children to follow these important measures in the prevention of skin cancer:
-
Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.
-
Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.
-
Use ample amounts of sunscreen or sunblock with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even if it is cloudy.
-
Wear protective clothing and large framed or wrap-around sunglasses to protect the eye area.
-
Have your skin checked by a dermatologist regularly.
-
Note any moles or other spots on the skin that have changed. Have them checked by physician as soon as possible.
For concerns about the skin, contact South Shore Skin Center's Cohasset (781) 383-3340 or Plymouth dermatology office (508) 747-0711.
About South Shore Skin Center and Spa
Caring for thousands of patients on the South Shore and Cape Cod, South Shore Skin Center and Spa is one of Massachusetts' most progressive dermatology practices offering a wide range of medical, surgical and cosmetic services. South Shore Skin Center and Spa's medical office and the cosmetic dermatology Spa occupy the 6,600 square-foot third floor of One Scobee Circle in Plymouth. South Shore Skin Center and Spa's skin cancer unit, the Mohs Surgical Center, is located on the lower level.
South Shore Skin Center and Spa is located at One Scobee Circle, Unit 3, in Plymouth, Mass. (508) 747-0711 and at 223 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Suite 202, in Cohasset, Mass. (781) 383-3340. For more information, visit the website at southshoreskincenter.com.
Questions and Answers
Melanoma is a kind of skin cancer but less common to other skin cancer as a result of malignancy of of melanocytes, which is the cell produced dark pigment for your skin. Approximate 120,000 new cases of melanoma in the US are diagnosed in a year. melanoma tends to spread along the skin in most of the cases, but also can grow downward to the deeper layers of the skin. At the later stage, it can spread to distant parts of the body,
Every day we are using a lot cleaning and beauty products, but this is not sure that all have been tested and approved by FDA (US Food and Drug Administration).
Everyone wants to avoid the chances of skin cancer. Yet tanning salons are very popular. Yet this exposure is increased if you are working in a tanning salon.
They aren't cures, but two novel drugs produced unequaled gains in survival in separate studies of people with melanoma, probably the most dangerous kind of melanoma, doctors reported Sunday.
In spite of cautions regarding the hazards of surplus sun exposure, young adults in the United States still experience sunburned or utilize indoor tanning beds, federal health officials said.
Cancer please support? Is this skin cancer? I believe I may have a Melanoma on my scalp. It's black\blue\purple with a brown circle of light and highly raised, its not a flawless circle or anything, its exactly half an inch big. I've had it for tons years. I saw the doctor a few years ago...
Cancer translational research brings together scientists' and clinicians' suggestions to develop solutions to biomedical complications. This kind of applied research strives to offer strategies to questions surrounding the etiology, pathology, diagnosis, prevention and treating cancer.
Orbs are actually a lumpectomy or quadrantectomy combined with rotating the breast tissue or mobilize the flap into the cavity of the surgery time fill is removed. It also includes the comparative change in shape and size is doing in relation to breast and moved if necessary, does not affect the conversion of the breast. The deferred plan the reconstruction is not part of endoplasmic techniques. Both procedures are performed by specific thoracic surgeons.
What every woman fears for is losing her self confidence , losing hope and losing her personality. The term "Breast Cancer" is a very negative word and that it creates negative vibrations in her heart. So, to make her comfortable with the basics of breast cancer and to make her means any woman understand that this type of cancer is the least dangerous than all cancers and that if it is detected early then you will fight with it successfully. Causes, Symptoms, treatment, discussed in detail.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that originates in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is the protective lining that covers the body's internal organs. Mesothelioma occurs when the mesothelium cells start to divide uncontrollably.
Chemotherapy is a treatment for killing cancerous cells which is given intravenous or extra-venous to the cancer patient. Even breast cancer patients have to go through the treatment. This treatment mainly focuses on the cancerous cells that are spread in the blood stream in the whole body . If any cancerous cells are there then they are killed by the chemotherapy medicine. The medicine is very costly and it has to be taken for one or two days continuously for every 21 days .
For some, it's the first day where the thermometer inches above 50 degrees. Others tend to be more traditional and wait for March 20.
Singles Can Take the Pressure Off Valentine's Day by Doting on a Beloved Pet
First Marriage of the Year – January 1, 2012 Quincy woman "desserts" single status for Attleboro man
DATELINE: QUINCY& ATTLEBORO, MA… She knew it was love when they shared desserts of cheesecake and apple crisp on their first date at the Piccadilly Pub in Foxboro.
DATELINE: NORWELL, MASSACHUSETTS… The first Valentine greeting was sent by a priest known as Valentine in third century Rome to his jailor's daughter, whom he fell in love with while in prison. How could such an endearing message of love evolve into the parade of elaborate gifts and hype of today?
By Libet Callahan, RN, BSN With the arrival of Valentine's Day on February 14, February has been designated as the month of love.
Discuss this Article
