Mucosal Melanomas: Site-Specific Information, Comparisons With Cutaneous Tumors, & Differential Diagnosis

Melanoma of the skin is the fifth leading new cancer diagnosis, having accounted for almost 77,000 cases and more than 9000 deaths in the U.S. in 2013. Although cutaneous neoplasms of this type are relatively common, their mucosal counterparts are not. Mucosal melanomas comprise only approximately 1.3% of all melanocytic malignancies. Although they are rare, these lesions present at an advanced stage with more adverse prognoses. In addition, at a molecular level, they have proven to be distinct entities because they possess genetic mutations not usually seen in their cutaneous counterparts.

Source: Seminars in Diagnostic Pathology - April 14, 2016 Category: Pathology Authors: Nicole R. Dominiak, Mark R. Wick, M. Timothy Smith Source Type: research