Metastatic Malignant Melanoma

The melanocytes’ neoplastic transformation gives rise to a very serious form of skin cancer – malignant melanoma. Once the diagnosis is confirmed by histopathology, the tumor is staged so that the prognosis and treatment can be determined. Melanoma is a malignant tumor arising from the cells known as melanocytes – cells that produce the pigment melanin which is providing the skin’s coloration. Melanoma can metastasize via the lymph nodes to other organs or tissues inside the human’s body. The most commonly affected organs are the liver, lungs and brain. Metastatic malignant melanoma is among the hardest forms of cancer to treat, particularly if the disease has spread to other organs. Once a person develops this disease, variables like age, sex, level, thickness, ulceration and primary site are not connected to the outcome.

What is Metastatic Malignant Melanoma?

Melanocytes are found in the skin, gastrointestinal tract, eyes and other body tissues. Although melanoma can arise from all these sites, the most common origin site remains the skin. That’s why many people watch out for the symptoms on their skin. If there are any unusual changes in the skin or new skin growths are noticed, they must be evaluated right away. Melanoma occurs in both women and men. Women are most commonly affected on the legs, while for men the disease starts on the head, neck, between the shoulders or hips. When the cancer spreads to other organs, the cells are still called melanoma cells, while the overall condition is called metastatic malignant melanoma. The treatments usually include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, local hypothermia and biotherapy/immunotherapy.

Risk Factors and Types of Metastatic Malignant Melanoma

Excessive exposure to the sun is usually a trigger which causes melanocytes’ proliferation, later leading to metastatic malignant melanoma. Common blistering sunburns, a lot of time spent out in the sun, using artificial UV radiation tanning beds and many nevi all contribute to the skin’s vulnerability for melanoma. There are four types of malignant melanoma: superficial spreading melanoma, acral lentiginous melanoma, nodular melanoma and lentigo melanoma. The crucial warning sign of this disease is a new pigmented lesion. If the size increases in a few weeks or months, or if the lesion changes its color, the person must seek for medical advice. The most commonly used guideline for evaluation of unusual moles is the mnemonic ABCDEs.

ABCDE of Metastatic Malignant Melanoma

The A in the ABCDE symbol stands for asymmetry – one half of the mole might be different from the other half, or the mole might be higher, in different color and texture. B signifies border irregularity – the mole’s borders should be round and smooth; tails or jagged edges are suspicious and ulceration or bleeding definitely requires attention. C is the letter for color – more colors on one mole, or a variation of colors including red, blue or black is a serious warning sign. D signifies the diameter – generally, a mole is 0.6mm, and melanomas might be larger. Finally, E stands for evolving – any change over a period of a few weeks is very suspicious. Early detection of metastatic malignant melanoma is of a big importance. Regular skin examination by a professional dermatologist (or even self-examination) and limited sun exposure is vital.