What is cutaneous melanoma? Cutaneous melanoma is a type of cancer that usually starts in a person’s skin. Melanoma happens when a cell called a “melanocyte cell” is damaged. Here is how this happens:
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Melanocytes are the cells in our skin that carry melanin, which is what gives our skin color, or pigment.
When these cells are damaged, they can mutate (change) from a melanocyte to a melanoma.
This causes them to grow and replicate into new melanoma cells, causing cancer.
melanocyte cell
melanoma
How many people get melanoma each year? Experts estimate that 200,340 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma at these stages in 2024 2 : • Stage 0: 99,700 Americans • Stages I, II, III or IV (stages 1-4): 100,640 Americans (59,170 males and 41,470 females)
Melanoma most often happens in the skin. But it can also happen in other places: • In the eye – called ocular or uveal melanoma • In mucous membranes such as the mouth, sinus cavity, genitals, or digestive tract – called mucosal melanoma • Under fingernails or toenails, or on the palms of hands or the bottom of the feet – called acral or subungual melanoma Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. But with cutaneous melanoma, if found early, it can usually be cured by surgery. If melanoma is not found and treated early, it can spread to lymph nodes and organs in the body. If this happens, it can be life-threatening. That’s why it’s so important to check your own skin for new or changing moles or other spots every month!
2 | Melanoma Patient Guide Stages 0-1
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