Melanoma is described as the cancer of the skin. It is said to be the most lethal of all skin cancers which is responsible for about two percent of all cancer deaths.  The worldwide incidence of melanoma doubles every ten years. This rise is probably related to increased recreational sun exposure and better methods of early detection.

Peak incidence occurs between ages twenty to forty five years old. There is a higher incidence of melanoma which is developing faster than any other cancer. The mortality rate is also increasing than other cancers except lung cancer. The estimated number of new cases is about fifty three thousand six hundred and the number of deaths is seven thousand four hundred.

The caused of malignant melanoma is still unknown, but ultraviolet rays are strongly suspected. This is based on the indirect evidences such as the increased incidence of melanoma in countries that are near the earth’s equator and younger people who often use a tanning bed for more than ten times per year. Ten percent of the melanoma prone families have multiple changing moles that are susceptible to malignant transformation.

Risk factors of melanoma are having a fair skin or freckles with blue eyes, and light haired people of Celtic or Scandinavian origin. People who are also at risk are those who have a significant history of severe sun burn. Intense sunlight exposure especially in older Americans who are retiring to the southwestern United States also appears to have a higher incidence of developing melanoma.

Research has identified a gene that resides on chromosome nine which is a part of the DNA. The absence of which increases the likelihood of developing melanoma. This can potentially damage the mutagenic DNA which will skip the repair stage of the cells before cell division. The absence of this gene can be identified in melanoma prone families.

Spreading melanoma occurs anywhere on the body and it usually affects the middle aged people. Melanoma occurs most frequently on the trunk and lower extremities. The lesion tends to be circular and irregular in their outer portions. Melanoma may appear in a combination of colors, with hues of tan, brown and black mixed gray.

Treatments depend on the level of invasion and the depth of the lesion. For a small superficial lesion, surgical excision is the most common treatment of choice. Deeper lesion requires wide local excision.

Current treatments for melanoma are largely unsuccessful, with cure generally impossible. Further surgical intervention may be performed to remove part of the organ involved; however, it is only to relieve the symptoms and not for cure.