Melanoma
Melanoma is the most dangerous type of Skin Cancer as it is highly metastatic. It develops in melanocytes which are the cells that produce pigment in the skin (melanin). Melanoma can also occur in other sites such as the eyes, and rarely in the nose or throat, under the nails, in the vagina etc. These latter are often referred to as Hidden Melanomas.
Cause
The cause of Melanoma is uncertain, but excess UV exposure has a strong correlation which is why they are most commonly found on the face, head, arms and back, but can also be found on areas without sun exposure such as the soles of the feet.
Signs
The early signs of Melanoma include changes in an existing mole, or new pigment growth. The edges tend to be irregular and the color is often irregular too. To help identify possible Melanomas a 5 point check designated ABCDE has been devised:
- A–Asymmetry–moles with irregular shapes or borders
- B–Borders–Melanomas tend to have irregular or jagged borders
- C–Color–Melanomas often have uneven or patchy color, or black spots in a brown mole
- D–Diameter–a new mole that is over 6mm
- E–Evolving–look for moles that are changing in shape, color or size
Risk Factors:
- Fair Skin
- Having lots of moles
- History of sunburn or excess sun exposure
- Living close to the equator or at high altitude
- Family History
The best protection is covering up when outside, wearing a hat, long sleeves and sunscreen. Checking your skin and watching moles. For those at greater risk, annual checks are advised.
As with other Cancers, supporting the body, nourishing Yin and increasing Qi and Immunity are standard treatments.
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Western Tradition Simples
Suggested Formulas Tincture of Black Nightshade Decoction of Dodder of Thyme (Mesue) Decoction of Dodder of Thyme (Rhasis) Syrup of Fumitory Greater Syrup of Fumitory Compound (Augustana) Syrup of Dodder of Thyme (Mesue) Indian Pills (Mesue) Pills for Melancholy (Unani) Pills of Fumitory Arab Confect Purging Melancholy (Confectio Hamech) |
Chinese Classification Simples
Formulas Si Jun Zi Tang (proven anti-melanoma effect) |
Special Formula
Melanoma Formula
Sophora Huai Mi
Lonicera Jin Yin Hua
This was found to inhibit Melanoma and Melanoma metastasis. (see here)
Research
–Chinese Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Melanoma (2015 Edition)–Phytochemical Profile and Anticancer Activity from Medicinal Plants Against Melanoma Skin Cancer: A Review
Boswellia
–Boswellic acid acetate also induces differentiation and Apoptosis in highly metastatic Melanoma and Fibrosarcoma cells. (Zhao et al., Cancer Detect Prev, 2003).
Calendula
–Antimelanogenic and Antimigration Properties of the Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Calendula officinalis Flowers on Melanoma Cells.
–Inhibition of metastasis of B16F-10 melanoma cells in C57BL/6 mice by an extract of Calendula officinalis L flowers.
Cannabis
–Preclinical and Clinical Assessment of Cannabinoids as Anti-Cancer Agents
Hedyotis:
–Evaluating the cytotoxic effects of the water extracts of four anticancer herbs against human malignant melanoma cells.
Helleborus
–Anti-Cancer effects were demonstrated with water extracts of the whole plant of Helleborus niger against several Cancer cell lines. A potent inhibitory effect was caused by apoptosis in Lymphoma, Leukemia, and Melanoma cell lines. (Jesse et al., Pediatr Blood Cancer, Apr, 2009)
Licorice
–Prenylated Flavonoids from Roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Induce Differentiation of B16-F10 Melanoma Cells.
Peganum
–Studies on anti-metastatic and anti-invasive effects of harmine using highly metastatic murine B16F-10 melanoma cells.
–Harmine activates intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis in B16F-10 melanoma.
Rabdosia:
–Effects of phenolic compounds isolated from Rabdosia japonica on B16-F10 melanoma cells.
–Glaucocalyxin A induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via inhibiting NF-κB/p65 signaling pathway in melanoma cells.
–Oridonin inhibits migration, invasion, adhesion and TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of melanoma cells by inhibiting the activity of PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway.
–The effects of oridonin on cell growth, cell cycle, cell migration and differentiation in melanoma cells.
–Oridonin induces human melanoma A375-S2 cell death partially through inhibiting insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor signaling.
Rheum, Rhubarb
–Emodin Suppresses the Migration and Invasion of Melanoma Cells.
Rosemary
–Anti-Proliferative Effect of Rosmarinus officinalis L. Extract on Human Melanoma A375 Cells.
–Diterpenes from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): Defining their potential for anti-cancer activity.
–Rosmarinus officinalis extract inhibits human melanoma cell growth.
Solanum nigrum
–Evaluating the cytotoxic effects of the water extracts of four anticancer herbs against human malignant melanoma cells
–Solanum nigrum Linn. water extract inhibits metastasis in mouse melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo.
–Inhibition of Metastatic Melanoma cells were seen in mice models. There was a significant inhibition by water extracts of Solanum nigrii against cell migration and invasion. Various protein markers associated with Metastasis were markedly reduced in a dose-dependent manner. (Wang et al., J Agric Food Chem, Nov 2010)
Syzygium (Clove)
–Eugenol was found to inhibit metastasis of melanoma tumors to the lung of mice in a xenograft study
Zedoary
–Suppressive effect of Zedoariae rhizoma on pulmonary metastasis of B16 melanoma cells.