Melanoma develops when normal pigment-producing skin
melanocytes become abnormal, grow uncontrollably, and
invade surrounding tissues. Usually only one melanoma develops at a time.
Melanomas can begin in an existing
mole or other skin growth, but most start in unmarked
skin. Melanoma can be primary or metastatic.
- Primary melanoma
usually follows a predictable
pattern of growth through the
skin layers. Finding it early and having surgery to remove it can cure most
cases of primary melanoma. If it's not treated, most melanomas spread
to other parts of the body over time.
- Metastatic melanoma spreads through the
lymph system to nearby skin or lymph nodes or through
the bloodstream to other organs such as the brain or the liver. Metastatic
melanoma usually cannot be cured.
Experts talk about prognosis in terms of "5-year survival rates." The
5-year survival rate means the percentage of people who are still alive 5 years
or longer after their cancer was discovered. Remember that these are only
averages. Everyone's case is different, and these numbers don't necessarily
show what will happen to you. The estimated 5-year survival rate for melanoma
- 98% if cancer is found early and treated
before it has spread.
- 62% if the cancer has spread to close-by
- 15% if the cancer has spread farther away, such as to the
liver, brain, or bones.