They can develop in the striated muscle in the arms and legs, blood vessels, fibrous connective tissue, smooth muscle, fat cells, lymph vessels, nerve fiber sheaths, and membranes around the joints. Melanoma is a disease of the skin in which cancer cells are found in the cells that color the skin. Melanoma usually occurs in adults, but it is occasionally found in children and adolescents. With the incidence of melanoma increasing yearly, the ACS says that 44,200 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed during the coming year. Early detection and intervention are important in any type of cancer, but especially in sarcoma and melanoma.
Surgery is the treatment of choice.
The tumor and surrounding tissues are removed and adjuvant chemotherapy is used. If the cancer is still in an early stage and small, a Gamma Knife, a type of laser surgery, can be used. Also being tested is hyperthermia therapy in which the body is warmed to help the immune system increase its ability to target abnormal cells. Certainly early detection can help avoid the need for aggressive, invasive treatment. Along with your breast self-exam which you should do monthly, check your body for any unusual skin problems.