A Study on Malignant Melanoma

Malignant melanoma is malignancy arising from the melanocytes of skin and mucous membrane. Melanocytes originated from neural crest from that they migrate during fetal growth to several organs and tissues, mostly to the skin. Malignant melanoma is most common skin cancer accounting for 78% of skin cancer related deaths (Bradford et al., 2009). The etiology of melanoma varies depending on location of the melanoma. Cho et al., (2005) reported that the risk factors for the melanoma are higher age, male sex, family history of melanoma, higher number of nevi, severe sun burn, light hair color, the data obtained from three large cohort studies (Cho et al., 2005). Whiteman in his case control study reported that number of moles was more strongly related to the development of melanoma in head and neck region (Whiteman et al., 2003). People who are having inherent risk of melanoma and having multiple moles are at high risk for melanoma developing over trunk (Cress et al., 1995). Males are more prone for development of melanoma over trunk, head and neck (Crombie, 1981). Chronic sun exposure is risk factor for the melanoma developing over the head and neck region (Hemminki et al., International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 2 (2017) pp. 1069-1079 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com