Melanoma

Melanoma is malignancy of melanocytes, predominantly in skin, but also eyes, ears, gastro intestinal tract, leptomeninges and  mucous membranes.
Populations at higher risk:

• Whites with fair skin, red hair, tendency to burn or freckle from sun exposure, large number of melanocytic nevi, xeroderma pigmentosum, familial dysplastic nevi, melanosis, vitiligo, frequent sunburns at any age 5-10% are familial.
• Possible increase in neurofibromatosis type I.
• Blacks and Hispanics in US have low risk, their common melanoma sites are palms, soles, nail beds or mucous membranes; often poorer prognosis.
• Is localized:
• Head and neck, back, lower extremities (particularly in women)
• Also oral and anogenital mucosa, esophagus, meninges and eye
• Clinical warning signs- is atached a picture
  
  
  
  
  • Change in color of pigmented lesion
  • Enlargement of existing mole
  • Itching or pain in pre-existing mole
  • Development of new pigmented lesion in adult life
  • Irregular borders in pigmented lesion
  • Variation of color in pigmented lesion