MIA and melanoma: Definitions, links, and detecting melanoma Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What to know about MIA and melanomaMedically reviewed by Brett Barlow, MD — By Carolyn Farnsworth on May 31, 2022Melanoma is a type of cancer that involves the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. In the future, a protein called melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA) may help doctors identify individuals who have melanoma or an increased risk of the condition. The presence of MIA in the body may signal the onset of melanoma in certain cases. This is because melanoma cells secrete MIA. The MIA gene controls the expression of these proteins. However, further research into MIA and melanoma is necessary. Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, healthcare professionals diagnose just under 100,000 new cases of melanoma each year in the United States. The risk of developing melanoma increases with age, but it can affect people from all age groups. This article discusses the key characteristics of the MIA gene and melanoma. It also explores the relationship between MIA and melanoma, including how MIA levels may help doctors detect melanoma in the future. What is melanoma Share on PinterestGeorgijevic/Getty ImagesMelanocytes are the skin cells responsible for producing melanin, which provides the skin with pigment. In people with melanoma, abnormal melanocytes start growing uncontrollably. Without treatment, these cells can spread throughout the body and have serious health consequences. Melanoma symptoms The symptoms of melanoma may vary among individuals, and they may be more difficult to detect in people with dark skin. However, some of the more common symptoms of melanoma include: a mole that changes in appearance or shape bleeding growths on the skin patches of thicker skin that begin to spread spots on the skin with jagged edges or multiple colors In most cases, melanomas are asymmetrical. They may also have irregular borders and color patterns. Finally, melanomas tend to change over time. Visiting a dermatologist regularly is the most effective way to detect melanoma before it becomes serious. Causes of melanoma The primary cause of melanoma is overexposure to UV radiation from the sun. Spending too much time in the sun without sunscreen or protective clothing can increase the risk of melanoma. UV rays can damage the DNA within skin cells. Genetic mutations from UV exposure may harm skin cells and cause them to become cancerous. In some cases, certain genetic mutations that cause melanoma can pass through families. People with a family history of melanoma should share this information with a medical professional to learn more about the steps they can take to reduce their risk of melanoma. Melanoma treatment options The best melanoma treatment depends on the individual and what stage of the disease they are experiencing. For people in the earliest stage of melanoma, a doctor can perform a simple surgery to remove a melanoma growth. More advanced cases of melanoma may require targeted chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy. Only a medical professional can provide reliable advice about the most effective treatment for each individual case. The most effective time to treat melanoma is when the disease is in the early stages. People who receive a diagnosis before melanoma has spread are 99% as likely as people without the condition to live for at least 5 years. What is the MIA gene According to older research, the MIA gene controls the expression of MIA proteins. Cancerous melanoma cells can express these proteins. Researchers have also found that MIA plays a role in the development and spread of melanoma throughout the body. This may be because the protein allows melanoma cells to detach from where they first developed and spread throughout the body. People with advanced melanoma may have high levels of MIA. The levels of this protein are also elevated in some other types of cancer. Further conclusive studies are necessary to investigate how MIA functions in the context of melanoma. In the future, tests for MIA levels in the body may be a reliable way to determine the presence of melanoma. What is the relationship between MIA and melanoma In people with melanoma, MIA binds to other proteins on or around the surface of healthy cells. This binding supports tumor cells as they invade healthy tissues in the body. A 2015 study showed that MIA levels were higher in people with melanoma whose cancer had metastasized. The researchers found increased MIA levels in 5.6% of individuals with early stage melanoma and up to 89.5% of people with late stage melanoma. Individuals with melanoma who received chemotherapy also had lower levels of MIA. Given these findings, the authors suggest that MIA levels may help detect melanoma onset or recurrence. Another study noted that MIA decreases the growth of new immune cells in the body. This makes it harder for the immune system to defend the body against melanoma cells. Certain tests can detect elevated MIA levels in people with melanoma. However, an MIA test alone cannot diagnose melanoma. In the future, it may be a helpful tool to aid diagnosis. MIA and melanoma detection Studies have shown a correlation between elevated MIA levels and late stage melanoma. However, MIA levels alone are not enough to make a diagnosis. The only way to diagnose melanoma definitively is through a biopsy, which involves taking a sample of bodily tissue and analyzing it in a laboratory. For people with advanced melanoma, imaging tests can help determine whether the cancer has spread. Individuals with melanoma should consult a doctor to determine which diagnostic tests are right for them. In the future, MIA tests may be a helpful addition to the process of diagnosing and treating melanoma. Summary Melanoma can be a challenging form of skin cancer to treat. However, early detection and diagnosis can maximize the chance of making a full recovery. The MIA gene controls the expression of the protein MIA. This protein may play a role in the development and spread of melanoma. Elevated MIA levels are linked to late stage melanoma. In the future, MIA testing may assist the diagnosis and understanding of melanoma. However, further research is necessary to determine whether MIA testing may help doctors diagnose or monitor melanoma. Last medically reviewed on May 31, 2022DermatologyCancer / OncologyMedical Devices / DiagnosticsMelanoma / Skin CancerMedically reviewed by Brett Barlow, MD — By Carolyn Farnsworth on May 31, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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