Aetiology
Melanoma of the skin is a type of skin cancer that develops from melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. It is most often caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, although it can be caused by tanning beds and other sources of UV radiation.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of melanoma of the skin is made by examining the lesion with a dermatoscope. This is a special microscope that magnifies the lesion to determine the presence or absence of melanoma cells. A biopsy of the lesion may also be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
Differential diagnosis
The differential diagnosis of melanoma of the skin includes other types of skin cancer such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. It is also important to differentiate melanoma of the skin from benign pigmented lesions such as moles and freckles.
Treatment
The treatment of melanoma of the skin depends on the stage of the disease. Early stage melanoma may be treated with surgery to remove the lesion and some of the surrounding tissue. For more advanced melanoma, chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy may be used.
Prognosis
The prognosis for melanoma of the skin depends on the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Early stage melanoma is often curable, while advanced stage melanoma is more difficult to treat and may be associated with a poorer prognosis.