Is Melanoma a Serious Disorder that Cannot Be Cured?

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.    

Diverse Medical Treatments in India at Incredibly Low Cost

Needless to say, medical inquisitiveness like in the case of all aspects of life in India has been intense right from ancient times.  Scientific research has been at the forefront from way back in earlier times starting or predating more than 5000 years. We should be thankful to the Hindu saints or rishis who approached health issues with an open mind and a broad sense of acceptance of what is good for the human body and soul. The civilization has always been liberal, broad-minded, and open in approach to life with rare instances of conservatism that are seen in the case of some ideological loyalties. 

The approach has always been inquisitive and holistic albeit modern analytical and technical methods were missing. Nevertheless, logic and rationality made up for measured verified success that modern science adopts, and health-driven, rejuvenated long life was achieved.   

The rishis believed in healing systems that were preventive, curative, and rejuvenated the body in the span of time the medicine and regimen that was being applied and strictly adhered to. The discovery of Ayurveda and the development of Yoga propelled holistic healing like none other system and the treatments literally became a way of life. 

Other notable examples are the work of Sushruta in the development of plastic surgery and Charak's treatise for the practice of medicine in ancient India. There are other treatises developed by physicians and scientists that have been overshadowed by the passage of unscripted time in history. 

Nevertheless, modern contributors to the field of medicine may not assiduously recognize the work done by the Indians who did end up creating a sound platform of healing in the country. The stress on medical learning and the creation of a teaching and health treatment infrastructure in modern India is due to the continuous persuasion of discovering and developing healing systems. This has been continuously bolstered by the logical and forward approach of the dispensations and planners that ruled the country.  

India now boasts of a collective framework of learning institutions that teach modern medical disciplines as well as indigenous wellness systems. The wide spectrum of disease treatments is strikingly diverse and with the knowledge and training accumulated from institutions of higher learning, and a broad base of acclaimed surgeons, physicians, and managers with a vast array of abilities and experience are at the helm of disease treatment in the country. 

The cultural sobriety, reasoning, and logical approach to the economy have created business practices that are inherently economical with controlled expenditure and no extravagance. The Indian hospitals and clinics stick to international norms of ethics and a professional quality-driven approach that leads to one of the lowest costing disease treatments in the World.  The rational approach of avoiding outward extravagance and costly architectural designs helps in controlling the costs. The skilled surgeons and physicians along with highly cost-intensive equipment and tools are used to optimum levels in the hospitals and clinics to drive the cost below the waist. 

The three-tier approach to establishing medical infrastructure has rationalized the availability of ascending scale of treatments with the basics being delivered in the village-level clinics and dispensaries. Mid-level towns and cities provide higher treatment to the patients which does call for cheap local travel and higher spending. The top rung specialty hospitals and clinics in the country are units delivering a wide spectrum of advanced disease treatments which are available in the developed world.  But all this at an incredibly low cost with successful medical outcomes. 

This approach is creating a sound platform for medical tourism in India with a promising growth rate of 30 percent in the post-global scenario.  Already international patients from APAC, China, and Africa are knocking at the doorsteps of treatment centers in various Indian cities. But what is now a slow trickle from the developed world is going to swell to an impressive stream of visitors both for health treatments and tourism in the country. The country is home to diverse terrain that contains impressive panoramic grandeur for sightseeing, experiencing colorful friendly culture, and enchanting wildlife that includes global attractions like the tiger and the lion. 

It is now there in the open as the surge in international patients becomes apparent. The country is not new by any means to hosting diverse ethnicities, cultural and religious diversity, and people from the diverse rung of social and economical strata. India Shinning! 

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Uday writes for  Company in India.  He writes on medical tourism, advanced disease treatments, and health infrastructure in India.  As an experienced SEO and Content Writer he writes on diverse topics on various platforms. 

He was teaching digital marketing in Jabalpur in his free time. He can be contacted at:

pateluday90@hotmail.com

09755089323 

Taking Care of Your Heart

Your lifeline to good health and survival is your heart and blood circulatory system. The heart is the most powerful organ in your body and is tireless. It keeps on working day and night till death takes place. A person may die of heart failure, blockage, or many other diseases that afflict this organ. 

Most of the anomalies in the heart and blood circulatory system take place due to lifestyle factors. Bad food habits, lack of exercise, undue stress, smoking, alcohol, and high cholesterol are reasons for being afflicted by a diseased heart. Some anomalies in the circulatory system and heart can be congenital. 

The disorders in circulation and in this vital organ can be prevented. Whatever is good for health is good for the heart and blood circulation. Eating fresh fruits, boiled vegetables and white meats, fish and all things healthy keeps the heart strong and working well. Regular exercise is a must. The exercise preferred would be light aerobics, yoga, or long regulated walks in the fresh air. 

In most cases, the beginning of heart disease is indicated by high blood pressure. If this is checked and lifestyle changes are made the damage to the heart can be controlled. If not then many problems can occur some can be life-threatening. 

In circumstances like these, a heart specialist should be contacted and advice taken. There are many methods to control and treat heart disease. Initially, medication is advised in case of serious threat surgery is prescribed. There are many alternative treatments for heart diseases. One of the most popular is chelation therapy, artery clearance therapy, and 3-D cardio angiography. These are noninvasive treatments non surgical bypass is also very popular. Apart from being non-surgical, the cost of the treatment is affordable and less risky than heart surgery. 

3D cardio angiography is not at all risky. Traditional coronary angiography is invasive with a risk of reaction to the dye used and artery rupture can take place. Prevention is the best cure but if damage to the heart occurs, alternative non-surgical procedures are a good option.

Thousand faces of plastic surgery

This surgical technology in ancient times though in nascent stages is in vogue since ages. Shusrut from India perfected many forms of cosmetic procedures. Ancient surgeons from Rome and other western countries learned plastic surgery from Shusrut in India.Of now the techniques also involve advanced laser treatments for cosmetic and reconstructive gains. These are being used for unwanted hair removal as well as scar removals.

From simple procedures the evolution has taken advance steps and complex methods have been developed for reconstruction and beautification. Plastic cosmetic and reconstructive surgery is offer by expert surgeons who have years of experience in this line.  The procedures include non surgical as well usually are cosmetic in nature. Cosmetic surgery is eclectic and depends upon the individual to go for it. This is also known as cosmetic aesthetic surgery.  Some of the examples are arm lift, breast reduction, augmentation or lift, chin surgery, otoplasty and many more. 

This phenomenal treatment covers all parts of human body which can be reconstructed for medical reasons as well as aesthetic reasons. The number of people undergoing these procedures has increased fourfold due to popularity and advance in technology. In modern age the stress of appearance has increased hence lot of people opt for methods that make them look better.

While plastic surgery is generally safe some procedure may entail risk hence full care has to be taken in this regard. It is also wise to verify the accreditation of doctor  offering these treatments.

Treatment for fertility in India

India is a vast and heavily populated country. With such population density and poverty arise many health maladies among the people. Unlike the West, with its fast and stressful life India has a set of health diseases that are more prevalent. But the ratio of infertile couples would be the same hence people all over are looking for fertility treatment. 

The treatments for infertility have advanced in recent times and the rate of success has increased. Though some of the treatments are affordable many are not. People seek affordable cures all over the World. In developed countries, medical procedures are costlier and many patients seek medical abroad. 

In India, the medical service sector has advanced in recent times and the country has facilities, experts, and infrastructure which compared with the best. There are many fertility clinics in India

that offer affordable treatment. Barren couples seeking a cure for infertility visit these centers the most. Clinics in urban centers are well equipped with all facilities and technology to carry out the procedures successfully. 

Most popular procedures are conducted in these centers which are cost-effective. There are a large number of patients who seek treatment in India because of the factors described above. This is also known as medical tourism since visiting places of interest is part of the itinerary.