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- Also found in: Bowel, eye
- Accounts for less than 5% of skin cancer casesACS: What Are the Key Statistics About Melanoma?
- 4 types: Superficial spreading, nodular, lentigo maligna, acral lentiginous
- Can spread rapidly
- 10 times more common in whites than blacksACS: What Are the Key Statistics About Melanoma?
- Slightly more common in men than womenACS: What Are the Key Statistics About Melanoma?
- Symptom: Atypical moles
- Use the ABCD system to evaluate molesMedlinePlus: Melanoma
- Curable if diagnosed and treated early
- Treatment: Surgical removal, radiation therapy, chemotherapy
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Melanoma is the most severe form of skin cancer. It forms in cells known as melanocytes that produce our skin, hair and eye color. Melanoma becomes a serious threat if it invades the healthy tissue under the skin.AAD: Malignant Melanoma
First Signs and Causes
In most cases, the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, shape or color of a mole. New moles may also be melanoma. While many common moles are not cancerous, atypical moles should be investigated by a dermatologist.Sun exposure can be dangerous to the skin and cause melanoma, as can the radiation in tanning beds. People with fair skin and who are sun-sensitive are at a greater risk for developing melanoma.SCF: Melanoma
United States Statistics
- New cases: Estimated 62,480 in 2008ACS: What Are the Key Statistics About Melanoma?
- Deaths: Estimated 8,420 in 2008ACS: What Are the Key Statistics About Melanoma?
- Incidence increased 6 percent per year since the 1970sACS: What Are the Key Statistics About Melanoma?
- Annual cost: About $1.5 billion on treatmentNCI: A Snapshot of Melanoma
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Melanoma Questions
Why does Melanoma skin cancers spread quicker than internal cancers? 1 AnswerMelanoma is a cancer that originates in the melanocytes of the skin. Consider this: Your skin is an organ. It is the largest organ of your body. Your skin is... read more




