The Fero Foundation and the Institute of Oncology of the Vall dHebron alert of the high incidence of melanoma still one of tumors with better prognosis if diagnosed early

-The doctor Javier Cortés, head of the program of Melanoma of the Institute of Oncology of the Vall d ’ Hebron, analyzes developments in treatments of skin tumors, focused towards personalized medicine

-melanoma is the tumor whose incidence is rising, after lung cancer.

Barcelona, may 2012.- Melanoma is one of the most known and widespread skin cancer tumors and is now positioned as the tumor whose incidence is rising, after lung cancer. Spain estimates that melanoma is 2% of malignant tumors in men and 3% in women.

Despite the gradual increase in its impact in society and if the skin tumor that causes more deaths, melanoma remains today one of the cancers with less public visibility and one of which fewer resources receives research, because remember doctor Javier Cortés, head of the program of Melanoma of the Institute of Oncology of the Vall d ’ Hebron.

Towards personalized medicine

Melanoma is one of the tumors with better prognosis, since that, thanks to surgery, 80% of patients manage to overcome the disease. However, despite the fact that the majority of melanomas are cured if diagnosed at an early stage, in Spain there are approximately between 800 and 900 patients with Metastases of melanoma.

For these cases the molecular biology research has opened up new paths that lead towards personalized medicine. Says Dr. Cortes, knowing such as tumor cells are can identify more accurately Achilles tendons ” of melanomas. This type of research has allowed successful treatments that have been getting the control time prolonging the cutaneous melanomas that have an alteration in gene BRAF, present in 50% of cases of this type of tumor.

The VHIO is currently several projects focused on melanoma which are framed in this line. Firstly, melanomas of the patients that have resulted in metastasis to implant them in mice are selecting and so trying to define what progression makes the tumor. Second, is trying to identify the resistance which lead certain tumors are able to escape to the treatment. These projects have as horizon get try a personalized to each patient and his tumor.

The rule of the ABCD ” as prevention to the melanoma:

The best treatment for melanoma today is the prevention or early diagnosis. For this it is necessary to take into account the main factors of risk and take steps to prevent them.

With the arrival of the summer, it is necessary to remember that one of the basic rules to prevent the occurrence of tumors is to avoid the exhibition continued in the Sun and if you do, always use protection. The Sun is positioned as the main risk factor for melanoma, powered by the hole in the ozone layer which has led to an increased incidence of ultraviolet rays. Dr. Cortes outlines the del sol between 13: 00 and 16: 00 hours, should not be taken to deal with the time of day in which the action of ultra-violet rays is more powerful. Also see the dermatologist at least once a year.

Another key element to prevent is paying continued attention to our skin. To identify possible skin lesions, it is necessary to remember the rule ABCD ” melanoma, which gives us the keys to interpret the signs warning of the skin. When a nevus, a mole, it is asymmetric, has irregular edges, their coloration is dark or very irregular, and its diameter increases, it is necessary to visit the dermatologist to make sure that it is not a malignant tumor.