Abstract
Melanoma develops from malignant transformations of the pigment-producing melanocytes. If located in the basal layer of the skin epidermis, melanoma is referred to as cutaneous, which is more frequent. However, as melanocytes are be found in the eyes, ears, gastrointestinal tract, genitalia, urinary system, and meninges, cases of mucosal melanoma or other types (e.g., ocular) may occur. The incidence and morbidity of cutaneous melanoma (cM) are constantly increasing worldwide. Australia and New Zealand are world leaders in this regard with a morbidity rate of 54/100,000 and a mortality rate of 5.6/100,000 for 2015. The aim of this review is to consolidate and present the data related to the aetiology and pathogenesis of cutaneous melanoma, thus rendering them easier to understand. In this article we will discuss these problems and the possible impacts on treatment for this disease.
Highlights
Sci. 2021, 22, 6395. https://doi.org/The term melanoma was first used in 1812 by René Laennec to describe a case of metastatic dissemination of the disease [1]
It should be noted that c-MET may be overactivated in the event of the excessive secretion of its HGF ligand produced by tumour cells or the tumour microenvironment of melanoma
Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) expression occurs after the binding of the melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) to the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R)
Summary
The term melanoma was first used in 1812 by René Laennec to describe a case of metastatic dissemination of the disease [1]. Cutaneous melanoma (cM) develops from malignant transformations of pigment-producing melanocytes in the basal layer of the skin epidermis. Non-cutaneous melanoma arises from malignantly transformed melanocytes in the uvea [2,3], gastrointestinal tract [4,5], genitalia [6,7], urinary system [8,9], meninges [10,11], etc. Australia and New Zealand are world leaders in this regard with a morbidity rate of 54/100,000 and a mortality rate of 5.6/100,000 for 2015 [12]. In this article we will discuss these problems and the possible impacts on treatment for this disease. Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
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