Malignant Tumors of the Skin (Malignant Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers)
Clinical Picture, Classification, Staging and Complex Treatment
Skin cancer is the most common malignant tumour worldwide. It is classified into:
- Malignant melanoma
- Non- melanoma skin cancers (NMSC)
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
Melanoma is less common but is the most aggressive skin cancer because of its high metastatic potential.
Risk Factors
- Excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure
- Fair skin (Fitzpatrick skin types I–II)
- Light hair and blue or green eyes
- Frequent sunburns, especially during childhood
- Family history of melanoma
- Large number of melanocytic nevi
- Dysplastic nevus syndrome
- Immunosuppression
- Previous skin cancer
- Increasing age (especially for non- melanoma skin cancer)
A. MALIGNANT MELANOMA
Malignant melanoma is a malignant tumour arising from melanocytes, the pigment- producing cells of the skin.
Although it accounts for only a small proportion of skin cancers, it causes the majority of skin cancer deaths due to early metastasis.
Classification
According to Histological Type
1. Superficial Spreading Melanoma
- Most common (≈70%)
- Horizontal growth phase initially
- Better prognosis if diagnosed early
2. Nodular Melanoma
- Second most common
- Rapid vertical growth
- More aggressive
- Poorer prognosis
3. Lentigo Maligna Melanoma
- Occurs mainly in elderly patients
- Sun- exposed skin
- Slow- growing
4. Acral Lentiginous Melanoma
- Palms
- Soles
- Nail beds
- More common in darker- skinned individuals