Section 3: Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that originates in the melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells found in the stratum basale, and their primary role is to produce the melanin in the skin. Melanin gives the skin its color and also protects the skin against UV radiation. Melanoma is a highly metastatic cancer which starts metastasizing through the lymphatic system. It is the most aggressive type …show more content…
There are 6 different subtypes of melanoma which include; superficial melanoma being the most common type, nodular, lentigo, acral lentiginous, nevoid, and desmoplastic melanoma. Superficial melanoma is the most common type of melanoma and the tumors are located in the back, neck, head or shoulders. Nodular melanoma is the second most common type and it is located in the trunk, head, or neck. Acral lentiginous melanoma is located in the nail beds, palms, or soles. Both nevoid, and desmoplastic melanoma are the rarest types of melanoma and their tumors look like moles or scars. Lentigo melanoma is a flat spot which later arises as time goes …show more content…
The procedure begins by first having the mole seen by a physician. After the physician has seen the mole the patient then has to go through a biopsy in order for doctors to determine if the patient is suffering from melanoma. A biopsy is done by a doctor, the doctor will make a small incision where the mole is at and take a sample of that mole and send it to the lab, and this procedure will determine if the mole is cancerous. If it is a cancerous mole further measures will be taken. Just like all other types of cancer melanoma also has stages. Melanoma has 5 stages and they are known as levels ranging from numbers 1-5. Level 1 melanoma is a cancer that lays on the epidermis. Level II melanoma has invaded the top layer of the dermis. Level III has already invaded the bottom layer of the dermis which is known as the papillary-reticular dermis. Level IV melanoma has reached and invaded the reticular dermis. The last stage of melanoma is level V and this type of melanoma has already invaded the subcutaneous