Melanoma, a well known malignant tumor
Melanoma is tumor of the skin that is cancerous (malignant). It grows from the melanocytes, the cells that color and tan the skin. Melanoma is also called cutaneous melanoma or malignant melanoma. The incidence of melanoma is increasing worldwide at a rate of about 5% per year. It is a more serious problem than the more common skin cancers, basal cell cancer or squamous cell cancer. Unlike these cancers, melanoma often will spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. About 47,300 patients will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2000, and 7700 will die from recurrent, metastatic disease. Melanoma can spread by local extension (through lymphatics) and/or by hematogenous routes (through the bloodstream) to distant sites. The risk of relapse may decrease over time, but late relapses are not uncommon. Melanoma can appear on the body as a new mole, or one that has changed in size, shape, feeling or color, or developed oozing or bleeding. Adult men most often get melanoma on the trunk, especially between the shoulder blades, or on the head or neck. Women most often get melanoma on the arms and legs. It can rarely form in children. Most melanomas are dark, but some are not, and may be flesh colored or pink to red. If there is a serious question of skin cancer, the mole or pigmented area will be cut out (local excision). This is usually done in a doctor's office. It is important that this remove the entire mole if possible.
The lab will analyze the removed skin. If melanoma is found they will report how deep and aggressive it appears. Then a physical exam and lab tests will be done to look for signs that cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. This is called staging. A doctor needs to know the stage of the disease to plan treatment. In the earliest melanomas, the abnormal cells are found only in the outer layer of skin cells and do not invade the body. It is more advanced if read more
