Our Skin
Skin is the largest organ in the body and the most visible. As a matter of fact, we take as much care of this organ as much as we look after our hair. Its texture, color, and status of its health we keep in mind all the time. We are obsessed with our skin but the case is more so with the opposite gender the lovely lasses.
If tended to sensibly with the consumption of nutritious foods, protection from strong sunlight, and wearing the right clothes the organ stays healthy throughout life. It does get wrinkled and loose but that is the consequence of aging which is natural.
All minor anomalies are taken care of by the lotions, creams, and essential oils some of which are gently rubbed or force-fed in a massage. We have created a mega-industry that comprises aesthetic cosmetic products and well-researched medicines. The cosmetic industry market size is around 350 billion USD and it is stated to cross over 427 billion USD by the year 2027.
Aesthetic cosmetic skin products are most advertised besides hair care products. Regional medications, cosmetic products, and therapies dominate country-wise. Most of these are not intensely researched, yet they are part of centuries of indigenous traditions with a huge consumer base.
But aesthetics apart, the organ is subject to some troubling and life-threatening disorders as well. Melanoma is one such disease that is malignant in nature. It is one of the fast-spreading cancers that can engulf other parts of the body. If detected early the spread can be halted to extend life.
Many types of malignancies afflict the skin namely:
• Melanoma
• Basal Cell Carcinoma
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma
How Melanoma is Detected?
Any unnatural eruptions in the dermal layers should be immediately brought to the doctor’s notice. An oncologist is a specialist surgeon/doctor who treats skin cancers. But the initial discovery of malignancy usually comes through the hand of your family doctor. This can be followed by a visit to an expert dermatologist on your doctor’s recommendation to detect if any malignancy exists or not.
Physical examination is the first step usually taken by a skin specialist or dermatologist followed by a biopsy we are so familiar. In this case, a sample of tissue is obtained from the suspected lesion. This is then scrutinized under a microscope by an expert to detect if the lesion is benign or malignant. Usually, punch biopsy or otherwise excisional biopsy is performed. In case of suspicion of malignancy spreading to lymph nodes, a sentinel node biopsy is considered. In this case, a dye is injected into the nodes, and tissue that absorbs the dye is subjected to a test. If no malignancy is detected then it is likely that the nodes have not become malignant. In case of an extensive spread, imaging tests like positron emission tomography, CT scan, or x-rays are conducted.
The imaging tests are not required when there is no suspicion of the disease spreading to other bodies before it can be stemmed. The disease is staged using Roman numerals, and the cases with higher numbers like stage IV or V offer little chance of survival. After stage IV cancer spreads to vital organs like the lungs and the kidneys.
Treating Melanoma
Prognosis is favorable if the malignancy is detected early and then treated in a multispecialty hospital dealing with oncology. The dermal malignancies begin as a mole that is irregular in shape and color or frequently changes color. Melanoma is usually treated using chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery.
If the diagnosis is positive, the extent and depth of melanoma are determined. Treating the spread is done by a team of dermatologists, oncologists, pathologists, surgeons, and plastic and reconstructive surgeons.
The range of treatments required is immunology, targeted therapy, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy which is using several drugs and injectables. Personalized care and regular stage diagnosis besides an observation during remission also play an important role.
People suffering from this disease can live up to ten years or more, but remember great stress is placed on early diagnosis.
Melanoma Affliction
Whites are most at risk followed by Hispanics and then colored people. The ratio is 1:38 for whites, 1:167 for Hispanics, and 1:1000 for colored people. The prevalence is distinctly higher among Caucasians and this could be due to a lack of melanin the black pigment in the skin that protects against nefarious rays.
Country-wise prevalence of melanoma is as follows:
1 Australia 33.6
2 New Zealand 33.3
3 Norway 29.6
4 Denmark 27.6
5 Netherlands 25.7
6 Sweden 24.7
7 Germany 21.6
8 Switzerland 21.3
9 Belgium 19.9
10 Slovenia 18.6
11 Luxembourg 16.5
12 Ireland 16.3
13 Finland 15.8
14 UK 15.0
15= Austria 13.6
15= France (metropolitan) 13.6
17 US 12.7
18 Czech Republic 12.6
19= Canada 12.4
19= Italy 12.4
The highest prevalence of this disease among women is as follows:
1 Denmark 33.1
2 New Zealand 31.1
3 Norway 30.7
4 Australia 27.5
5 Sweden 26.2
6 Netherlands 25.4
7 Germany 24.0
8 Belgium 23.9
9 Slovenia 19.7
10 Switzerland 19.5
11 Ireland 19.0
12 Finland 15.9
13 Luxembourg 15.4
14 UK 15.3
15 France (metropolitan) 12.9
16 Austria 12.6
17 Czech Republic 12.4
18= Canada 11.7
18= Iceland 11.7
20 Estonia 11.4
21= Italy 11.0
21= US 11.0
23 Greece 10.3
24 Hungary 10.1
25 Lithuania 9.0
*Data Source: Global Cancer Observatory
Skin cancer in India constitutes less than 1% of all diagnosed cancers yearly. The cost of treatment is around 5000 USD. The cost of screening and testing ranges from around 200$.
According to Viadam some of the best hospitals for skin cancer treatment in India are:
• Apollo Hospitals
• Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurgaon
• Manipal Hospital Bangalore
• Apollo Gleneagles Kolkata
• Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital Mumbai
• Artemis Gurgaon
These are hospitals with star facilities and quality care but are comparatively costlier. The oncology departments are present in many other multispecialty hospitals where the price quoted is lower without loss of quality service. These hospitals are spread over many two-tier towns and cities in India.
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