• Soccer: Michael Robinson dies

It was at the end of 2018 when Michael Robinson himself confirmed his diagnosis: a melanoma with metastases that was in an advanced stage. Doctors labeled him "incurable" and now, just over a year later, the sports journalist has passed away.

What does having metastatic melanoma mean? This is stage IV melanoma. That is, the tumor cells of the disease no longer remain localized. They have spread to distant lymph nodes and other areas of the body.What are the possible symptoms? Apart from the manifestations of melanoma (change in the size, shape or color of any mole in the body), others may occur such as unexplained weight loss, gray skin, continuous cough, headaches, or swollen lymph nodes, especially in the armpit or groin. Precisely, in Robinson's case, it all started when he saw a lump in his armpit himself. However, the symptoms will depend on the organ in which the metastasis appears. What risk factors are there? Although there is no specific cause responsible for the melanoma to progress to metastasis, there are some risk factors such as a large number of moles, having a history of family melanoma and previous melanoma. And, of course, exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. What are the diagnostic tests that are done? To learn more and to know if the cancer has spread, a radioactive substance is injected that will go to the tumor through lymphatic ducts (node ​​mapping), blood tests, and a positron emission tomography (PET) scan. Is metastatic melanoma treatable? Is it "incurable," as doctors said in Robinson's case. . The therapies used in these situations are already palliative. It is true that great advances are being made in research for this type of cancer, but at the moment, in clinical practice, only surgery can be used (for patients who have the disease localized and thus prolong survival), chemo, radiotherapy (for the symptomatic control of brain or bone metastases, for example) and immunotherapy. What is the prognosis of these cases? According to experts, these patients have a five-year survival of less than 5%. And if there are visceral metastases, survival is reduced to less than one year, between seven and nine months. How is it prevented? Since metastatic menaloma is the evolution of melanoma, the prevention recommendations are the same, very focused on reducing damage from sun exposure (through proper use of protective creams, avoiding the hours of greatest intensity, not subjecting yourself to radiation from UVA lamps or wearing sunglasses and a cap). It should be remembered that "the melanoma, like all tumors, the sooner it is diagnosed, the less likely it will evolve to metastasize, "he says.Eduardo Nagore, member of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV) and clinical head of the Dermatology service of the Valencian Institute of Oncology (IVO). For this, the specialist argues, "it is key to check your skin at least once a month [...] It is a habit that we should assume as brushing our teeth. This is what would avoid cases of metastases ". And he adds: "Very few patients come to the consultation after observing any abnormality in their reviews. Most come when they itch, hurt, bother or bleed."

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