Melanoma, also redundantly known as malignant melanoma, is a type of skin cancer that develops from the pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes. Melanomas typically occur in the skin, but may rarely occur in the mouth, intestines, or eye (uveal melanoma).

How can you classify malignant melanoma based on histology?

Histological features that favor a diagnosis of melanoma include asymmetry, ulceration, cytological atypia, pagetoid involvement of the epidermis, lack of maturation, and dermal mitosis with deep and atypical ones.

What is the anatomy behind malignant melanoma?

The deepest layer of the epidermis, located just above the dermis, contains cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes produce the skin’s pigment or color. Melanoma begins when healthy melanocytes change and grow out of control, forming a cancerous tumor.

Which is the best description of malignant melanoma?

Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the melanocytes. Other names for this cancer include malignant melanoma and cutaneous melanoma. Most melanoma cells still make melanin, so melanoma tumors are usually brown or black. But some melanomas do not make melanin and can appear pink, tan, or even white.

What is the most common histologic type of melanoma?

The most common histologic pattern is the superficial spreading melanoma. These neoplasms represent as many as 75% of all melanomas. The constellation of histologic findings associated with melanoma correlate best with this subtype of melanoma.

How do you classify melanoma?

Melanomas are classified into 4 major types based on growth pattern. They are superficial spreading melanoma, nodular melanoma, lentigo maligna melanoma, and acral lentiginous melanoma. Other more unusual types include mucosal lentiginous melanoma, desmoplastic melanoma, and verrucous melanoma.

What layer of skin does malignant melanoma occur?

Melanoma starts in cells in the skin called melanocytes. These cells are in the deep layer of the epidermis between the layer of basal cells.

What causes malignant melanoma?

The exact cause of all melanomas isn’t clear, but exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight or tanning lamps and beds increases your risk of developing melanoma.

Does malignant mean cancerous?

Malignant tumors have cells that grow uncontrollably and spread locally and/or to distant sites. Malignant tumors are cancerous (ie, they invade other sites). They spread to distant sites via the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. This spread is called metastasis.

What is the cause of malignant melanoma?

Skin cancers like melanoma have damaged DNA (mutations) in skin cells that lead to uncontrolled growth of these cells. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or tanning beds can cause mutations in DNA and is a major cause of melanoma.

What is the prognosis and survival rates for melanoma by stage?

Survival rate. A person’s response to treatment will affect their chance of survival. According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year survival rate for stage 4 melanoma is 15–20 percent. This means that an estimated 15–20 percent of people with stage 4 melanoma will be alive 5 years after diagnosis.

What is the pathophysiology of melanoma?

Pathophysiology. The development of melanoma is multifactorial and appears to be related to multiple risk factors, including fair complexion/sun sensitivity, excessive childhood sun exposure and blistering childhood sunburns, an increased number of common or atypical/dysplastic nevi (moles), a family history of melanoma,…

What does lentigo maligna melanoma look like?

Lentigo maligna melanoma: One of the four clinical types of malignant melanoma and the slowest growing type. Lentigo maligna melanoma typically begins as a patch of mottled pigmentation that is dark brown, tan, or black on sun-exposed skin, such as on the face.