Neoplastic Process
melanoma
mel·a·no·ma [ mel-uh-noh-muh ]
Subclass of:
Neuroendocrine Tumors;
Nevi and Melanomas
Etymology:
Greek melas = black + -oma = tumor
Malignant neoplasms of cells containing melanin.
Malignant neoplasms of cells containing melanin.
Also called:
Malignant Melanoma
Definitions related to melanoma:
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(melanoma, malignant) A malignant neoplasm composed of melanocytes.CDISC TerminologyClinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC), 2021
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A form of cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin). It may begin in a mole (skin melanoma), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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A malignant neoplasm comprised of melanocytes typically arising in the skin.NICHD Pediatric TerminologyU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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A malignant neoplasm derived from cells that are capable of forming melanin, which may occur in the skin of any part of the body, in the eye, or, rarely, in the mucous membranes of the genitalia, anus, oral cavity, or other sites. It occurs mostly in adults and may originate de novo or from a pigmented nevus or malignant lentigo. Melanomas frequently metastasize widely, and the regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain are likely to be involved. The incidence of malignant skin melanomas is rising rapidly in all parts of the world. (Stedman, 25th ed; from Rook et al., Textbook of Dermatology, 4th ed, p2445)NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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A malignant, usually aggressive tumor composed of atypical, neoplastic melanocytes. Most often, melanomas arise in the skin (cutaneous melanomas) and include the following histologic subtypes: superficial spreading melanoma, nodular melanoma, acral lentiginous melanoma, and lentigo maligna melanoma. Cutaneous melanomas may arise from acquired or congenital melanocytic or dysplastic nevi. Melanomas may also arise in other anatomic sites including the gastrointestinal system, eye, urinary tract, and reproductive system. Melanomas frequently metastasize to lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Malignant neoplasm derived from cells that are capable of forming melanin, which may occur in the skin of any part of the body, in the eye, or, rarely, in the mucous membranes of the genitalia, anus, oral cavity, or other sites; occurring mostly in adults and may originate de novo or from a pigmented nevus or malignant lentigo; frequently metastasize widely, and the regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain are likely to be involved.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. Often the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, shape, color, or feel of a mole. Most melanomas have a black or black-blue area. Melanoma may also appear as a new mole. It may be black, abnormal, or "ugly looking." Thinking of "ABCDE" can help you remember what to watch for: Asymmetry - the shape of one half does not match the other; Border - the edges are ragged, blurred or irregular; Color - the color is uneven and may include shades of black, brown and tan; Diameter - there is a change in size, usually an increase; Evolving - the mole has changed over the past few weeks or months. Surgery is the first treatment of all stages of melanoma. Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation, biologic, and targeted therapies. Biologic therapy boosts your body's own ability to fight cancer. Targeted therapy uses substances that attack cancer cells without harming normal cells. NIH: National Cancer InstituteMedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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The most dangerous type of skin cancer.Harvard Dictionary of Health TermsHarvard Medical Publishing, 2011
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The presence of a melanoma, a malignant cancer originating from pigment producing melanocytes. Melanoma can originate from the skin or the pigmented layers of the eye (the uvea).Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO)The Human Phenotype Ontology Project, 2021
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Malignant melanoma arises from melanocytes in a pigmented area (eg, skin, mucous membranes, eyes, or central nervous system). Metastasis is correlated with depth of dermal invasion. With spread, prognosis is poor. Diagnosis is by biopsy. Wide surgical excision is the rule for operable tumors. Metastatic disease requires systemic therapy...Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
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A melanoma is a tumor produced by the malignant transformation of melanocytes. Melanocytes are derived from the neural crest; consequently, melanomas, although they usually occur on the skin (see the image below), can arise in other locations where neural crest cells migrate, such as the gastrointestinal tract and brain.WebMD, 2019
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Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, develops in the cells (melanocytes) that produce melanin - the pigment that gives your skin its color. Melanoma can also form in your eyes and, rarely, inside your body, such as in your nose or throat.Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
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Melanoma is a malignant tumor arising from melanocytes. It is among the most common forms of cancer in young adults and typically presents as a new or changing deeply pigmented skin lesion. Lesions are often on sun-exposed anatomic locations in fair-skinned people. Diagnosis is by physical examination and confirmed by histopathological...Athenahealth, Inc., 2019
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Melanoma, a spreading and frequently recurring cancer of specialized skin cells (melanocytes) that produce the protective skin-darkening pigment melanin. An estimated 132,000 new melanoma cases are diagnosed worldwide each year. In the United States melanoma represents nearly 5 percent of all cases...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
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