Melanoma is a potentially deadly form of skin cancer that arises from the pigmented cells, or
melanocytes of the skin.
5 Warning signs for melanoma
- Irregular Contour-Sample
- Irregular Colour-Sample
- Lack of symmetry-Sample
- Larger than 1cm-Sample
-
Late onset (appearance after young adulthood)-
Sample
5 steps to development of melanoma:
-
Common acquired and congenital nevi (like moles) with structurally normal melanocytes, which have
a finite lifespan and generally carry no cytogenetic abnormalities;
- Dysplastic nevi with structural and architectural atypia...dysplastic nevi are precoursors for melanoma;
- Biologically early radial growth phase (RGP-meaning they grow outward and the radius increases) primary
melanoma in which the cells have not yet metastasized (spread to other parts of the body);
- Advanced vertical growth phase (VGP-meaning they grow downwards into deeper skin layers) primary melanoma
in which the cells have invaded the dermis and have the potential to metastasize;
- Metastatic melanoma.
Risk factors for melanoma include but are not limited to:
- Family history of malignant melanoma
- Presence of blond or red hair
- Presence of marked freckling on the upper back
- History of three or more blistering sunburns prior to age 20
- History of three or more years of an outdoor summer job as a teen
- Presence of actinic keratosis
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