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Chapter-26 B Melanoma

BOOK TITLE: ACS(I) Textbook on Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery

Author
1. Madan Vishal
2. Al-Niami Firas
ISBN
9789350258903
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/11651_39
Edition
1/e
Publishing Year
2012
Pages
12
Author Affiliations
1. Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Stott Lane, Salford, Manchester, M6 8HD, UK, Salford Royal NHS Foundation, Trust Stott Lane, Salford, Manchester, UK, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust; University of Manchester; British Medical Laser Association
2. Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, Manchester, UK, Guy’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom
Chapter keywords

Abstract

The earliest description of melanoma is attributed to Hippocrates in 5th century. It was however in 1838 that the term melanoma was first proposed by Carswell. By the mid-twentieth century, the disease had been termed by several names such as melanosarcoma, melanocarcinoma and nevocarcinoma. It is now well-understood that melanoma is a neoplastic disease of the melanocytes, cells that arise from the neural crest. During early gestation, melanocytes migrate from the neural crest to the skin and mucous membranes, uveal tract and meninges. The overwhelming majority of melanoma occurs in the skin and depends on the presence of melanocytes and not necessarily the process of melanogenesis, as seen for example in the amelanotic variant in albinos who lack melanogenesis. Other variants such as retinal melanoma will not be discussed in this chapter. The terms melanoma and malignant melanoma describe the same disease and are therefore interchangeable. The latter term is however redundant as all cases of melanoma are malignant. Melanoma is a disease that can be associated with a high mortality and therefore timely recognition and management of the disease is essential to reduce this risk.

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