Melanoma

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer, produced by the malignant proliferation of melanocytes. Tumor usually occurs on the skin, although it can be found on mucosal surfaces, eyes, and leptomeninges. It most commonly affects middle-aged adults. The worldwide incidence of melanoma has rapidly increased over the past several decades, making it a public health problem globally, especially in countries with predominantly Caucasian populations. Cutaneous melanoma is a potentially deadly skin cancer, but it may be curable when identified and surgically removed at an early stage. Therefore, early detection and correct diagnosis of melanoma are the leading cause of extended survival of patients.