|
|
|
|
|
|
| Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention
|
Melanoma
Definition:
A malignant (cancerous), pigmented tumor.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Melanoma is a malignant skin tumor that involves the skin cells which produce pigment (melanin). It can also involve the pigmented portion of the eye. Melanoma is an aggressive type of cancer that can spread very rapidly. Risk factors include: - a family history of melanoma
- red or blond hair
- development of precancerous actinic keratoses
- obvious freckling on the upper back
- three or more episodes of blistering sunburn before age 20
- three or more years spent at an outdoor summer job as a teen
Types of melanoma include:
|
|
The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Copyright 2000 adam.com, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
|
|
|
