ABSTRACT
Although less prevalent than squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, melanoma is the most serious and potentially lethal form of skin cancer. Melanoma represents the endpoint of malignant transformation of the melanocyte, the cell that contains the pigment, melanin. Embryologically, melanocytes are derived from neural crest cells, which migrate throughout the fetus to the developing gastrointestinal tract, eyes, meninges, and skin. As a result of the widespread distribution of these neural crest-derived cells, melanoma may arise in any of these locations; however, cutaneous melanoma is by far the most common form. This may be due to a combination of factors, including cutaneous exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and the huge number of melanocytes distributed throughout the skin.
