ABSTRACT
Melanoma is a malignant tumor that originates from melanocytes or their precursors.1-4 Melanocytes are pigmented dendritic-like cells located in the skin, eye, mucous membrane, and other organs. During development, melanocyte precursors arise in the neural crest from where they migrate to various organs and tissues in the body. Melanocytes produce melanin. The color of the skin, hair, and iris is mainly determined by the quality and quantity of melanins produced by melanocytes.5
