Melanoma Toolkit - Comprehensive Medical Encyclopedia with Treatment Options, Clinical Data, and Practical Information (Two CD-ROM Set)

This up-to-date and comprehensive set of two CD-ROM discs provides a superb collection of official Federal government documents on melanoma: signs and symptoms, diagnosis, lab tests, treatment and management options, and ongoing clinical research. Every aspect of the disease is thoroughly covered. Melanoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the skin cells called melanocytes (cells that color the skin). Melanocytes are found throughout the lower part of the epidermis. They make melanin, the pigment that gives skin its natural color. When skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes make more pigment, causing the skin to tan, or darken. When melanoma starts in the skin, the disease is called cutaneous melanoma. Melanoma may also occur in the eye and is called intraocular or ocular melanoma. Melanoma can occur anywhere on the body. In men, melanoma is often found on the trunk (the area from the shoulders to the hips) or the head and neck. In women, melanoma often develops on the arms and legs. Melanoma usually occurs in adults, but it is sometimes found in children and adolescents. For patients, practical information is provided in clearly written patient education documents. For medical professionals, doctor references and texts have detailed technical information and clinical background material. Documents from the National Cancer Institute, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Medline, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) are included. In addition to disease-specific information, there is extensive coverage of the broad subject of cancer and its prevention and treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, advanced treatments, managing side effects). There is no other reference that is as fast, convenient, and portable - everything you need to know, from the federal sources you trust. Since navigating the Internet to find medical information can be confusing, our exclusive "Guide to Leading Medical Websites 2009" has updated links to the 67 best sites! Weblinks let you quickly check for the latest clinical updates directly from the government and the best commercial portals, news sites, reference/textbook/non-commercial portals, and health organizations. Comprehensive cancer coverage includes: FDA Office of Oncology Drug Products, Oncology Tools - approved drugs, patient liaison * Dictionary of Cancer Terms (4000 items) * Division of Cancer Biology * Cancer Bulletin - archive of informative articles from NCI publication since 2004 * Cancers by Body Location, System * A-Z list of cancers * Clinical Trials * Complementary and Alternative Medicine * Coping - Complications and Side Effects - fatigue, pain, cardiopulmonary syndromes, cognitive disorders and delirium; fever, sweats, hot flashes; gastrointestinal complications, hypercalcemia; lymphedema; pruritus; sexuality and reproduction; sleep; nutrition; eating hints; emotions, anxiety, depression, adjustment, post-traumatic stress disorder; substance abuse; transitional care planning; radiation, home care, when cancer returns; Care for the Caregiver; Survivorship - end of life issues, advance directives, coping with advanced cancer, Hospice, Loss, Grief, and Bereavement * Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis * Drug Development and Approval * Approved Oncology Drugs * Drug Dictionary - technical definitions and synonyms * Drug Information Summaries * Factsheets by cancer type, risk factors and possible causes, prevention, detection, diagnosis, therapy, support, coping, resources, tobacco and smoking cessation * Prevention, Genetics * Publications - specific cancers, treatment, trials, coping, testing, risks, nutrition * Screening and Testing