A Glimpse on Melanoma-Risk Factors and Treatment

Abstract

Melanoma is the most dreadful form of skin cancer that begins in melanocytes. It is the leading cause of death from skin disease. It can occur in any part of the body that contains melanocytes. Several internal and external risk factors of the body may contribute to the development of many cancer melanomas such as unexpected exposure to UV radiation, weakened immune system, family history etc. Melanoma diagnosed at early stages is typically cured by surgical excision, but advanced stages are often deadly. Cancer stem cells (CSC) are recently proposed to be the cancer initiating cells responsible for tumorigenesis and contribute to cancer resistance. In the present review I have discussed about melanoma incidence, detection with various modes of treatment. © 2011 Soumya D.