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Brain Tumors/melanoma Tumors

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Expert: - 9/20/2010


Question
Hi my father died of Melanoma Tumors throughout his body, in 1998 only after a diagnoses 9mths earlier. He had the tumors, I am lead to understand, not in actual organs, but outside major organs, is this correct with this Melanoma Tumors.  
It first showed above his eye, he then had to have eye removed, trac put in, and some others attempted at removal.He had over 50+ at the time of death.  

My question is that I am also lead to believe that this can be a heredity disease - is this so

Answer
If he had it in many places outside his major organs he probably also had it in major organs. That is what usually kills the patients. Malignant melanomas are usually caused by ultraviolet light irradiation - so an environmental factor. That is one of the major reasons why this tumour is so common in Australia (lots of sun shine). However there are vast individual differences with regards to sensitivity to this radiation. Some people are very sensitive and therefore at high risk for this tumour. That sensitivity can be hereditary. Black Africans have very little sensitivity while fair or red headed and pale Celts are MUCH more sensitive! Sun bathing (or tanning booths) is/are not good for you. It is even worse if you do not tan easily!




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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

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I`m a doctor of medicine and specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have a long time experience of these tumours.

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I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy, educated and trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps. You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 . I have no restrictions on the number of questions there. I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer.

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Doctor of medicine, specialist in medical oncology & radiation therapy.

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