Melanoma

Abstract

Melanoma is a malignant tumor that originates from the melanocytic cell system and predominantly occurs at the skin, but less frequently in the eye, meninges, and mucous membranes. Ultraviolet radiation is the most important exogenous risk factor and carcinogen in melanoma formation. Systemic melanoma progression is characterized by early lymphogenic and hematogenic metastasis. Advances in understanding the cell- and immunobiology of melanoma have led to effective mutation-based targeted and immunoncological therapies that provide a significant survival benefit for subgroups of patients, even at an advanced stage. However, melanoma remains responsible for about 90% of mortality from skin cancer.