Melanoma marker Background Information
Malignant melanoma is a malignant neoplasm of melanocytes, arising de novo or from a pre-existing benign nevus, which occurs most often in the skin but may also involve other sites. Malignant melanoma underlies the majority of skin cancer-related deaths. Melanoma originates in melanocytes, the cells which produce the pigment melanin, which colors human skin, hair, and eyes and is heavily concentrated in most moles. Epidemiologic studies suggest that exposure to ultraviolet radiation is one of the major contributors to the development of melanoma. The four most common types of melanoma in the skin are superficial spreading melanomas, which evolve from a precursor lesion (usually a dysplastic nevus); nodular melanomas, the most aggressive form; acral lentiginous melanomas, which are seen on the palms, soles and under the nails; and Lentigo malignas, which consist of malignant cells but do not show invasive growth.
