In some cases, the body's own immune response is enhanced to destroy melanoma cells. A new protocol is also being developed that will utilize tumor vaccines where melanoma tissue is used as a tumor antigen to produce tumor antibodies. Melanoma probably has the same kinds of regulatory systems in terms of oncogene activation and tumor suppressor genes that other tumors such as colon have been shown to have. We also know that, to a certain extent, we can alter the immune response to melanoma, as well as other cancers. That's our hope for the future for all solid tumors - to be able to regulate the growth process in a way that it can be stopped or reversed.
Benign moles are generally round and symmetrical.
The edges of early lesions are ragged, notched or blurred. Benign, pigmented lesions tend to have regular, smooth, well-demarcated borders. The evolving tumor is usually a flat, pigmented lesion with various shades of black, brown or tan. There may be areas of red, white or blue. Most benign, pigmented moles are less than 6mm in diameter, about the size of a pencil eraser.