Melanoma Resources

Topic(s):

Melanoma is a cancer of the skin that starts in the melanocytes. The melanocytes start to grow out of control and often begin on skin that is exposed to the sun. It can also form in other pigmented tissues such as the eye or intestines.

Types of Skin Melanoma

There are four types of skin melanoma:

Superficial spreading melanoma: This type grows outward on the surface of the skin. It can start in existing moles, but some do not.
Nodular melanoma: Appears as raised nodules on the skin that are brown or black. They tend to grow into deeper layers of skin early, so they are often found at a more advanced stage.
Lentigo maligna melanoma: Occurs in older people. This type appears as an abnormally shaped spot in an area that receives a lot of sun and grows slowly over time.
Acral lentiginous melanoma: Starts in areas less frequently exposed to sunlight compared to other areas.

Risk Factors for Melanoma

Risk factors for melanoma include:

Family history with melanoma
History of sunburn
Exposure to UV light
Atypical moles
Living closer to the equator or at a higher elevation
Skin that sunburns easily
Weakened immune system

To reduce the risk of melanoma, consider the following:

Avoid tanning lamps and beds
Avoid the sun during the middle of the day
Be aware of changes in your skin
Wear protective clothing
Use sunscreen regularly

Journal of Managed Care + Specialty Pharmacy Publications

Real-World Evidence for Option Value in Metastatic Melanoma. Journal of Managed Care + Specialty, 2021, Aug;27(11):1546-1555.
Disparity in Initiation of Checkpoint Inhibitors Among Commercially Insured and Medicare Advantage Patients With Metastatic Melanoma. Journal of Managed Care + Specialty, 2023 Oct;27(11):1232-1241.
Economic and Health Care Resource Utilization Burden of Central Nervous System Metastases in Patients With Metastatic Melanoma. Journal of Managed Care + Specialty, 2021 Sep;27(9):1321-1324.

Additional Publications

Management of Acral and Mucosal Melanoma: Medical Oncology Perspective. Jung S, Johnson D B. Oncologist, 2022, Aug. doi: 10.1093/oncolo/oyac091.
When Does a Melanoma Metastasize? Implications for Management. Thompson J F, Williams G J. Oncotarget, 2024, Jun. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.28591.
Marine Compounds for Melanoma Treatment and Prevention. Montuori E, Capalbo A, Lauritano C. Int J Mol Sci, 2022, Sep. doi: 10.3390/ijms231810284.
NRAS Mutant Melanoma: Towards Better Therapies. Randic T, Kozar I, Margue C, et al. Cancer Treat Rev, 2021, Sep. doi: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2021.102238.
Molecular Markers and Targets in Melanoma. Teixido C, Castillo P, Martinez-Vila C, et al. Cells, 2021, Sep. doi: 10.3390/cells10092320.
Managing Metastatic Melanoma in 2022: A Clinical Review. Switzer B, Puzanov I, Skitzki J J, et al. JCO Oncol Pract, 2022, May. doi: 10.1200/OP.21.00686.
Mucosal Melanoma: Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Treatment. Sergi M C, Filoni E, Triggiano G, et al. Curr Oncol Rep, 2023, Nov. doi: 10.1007/s11912-023-01453-x.
Molecular Pathology of Skin Melanoma: Epidemiology, Differential Diagnostics, Prognosis and Therapy Prediction. Timar J, Ladanyi A. Int J Mol Sci, 2022, May. doi: 10.3390/ijms23105384.
The Genomic Landscape of Melanoma and Its Therapeutic Implications. Yang T, Yu S, Ke C-L K, et al. Genes, 2023, Apr. doi: 10.3390/genes14051021.