[Insights into melanoma from a pathologist's perspective].

Abstract

Malignant melanoma is the most common cause of death from skin cancer. Wide surgical excision of localized melanoma in its primary stages remains the main curative therapy. Identifying patients at an early tumour stage is therefore one of the most significant steps for treatment. In the last decades, molecular pathology rapidly established itself in melanoma research. We present new molecular methods, their significance and their application, especially focusing on BRAF( V600) mutation and BRAF-inhibiting tumor targeting therapy. Resistance to tumor targeting therapies and cell line experiments, which have evidenced a sub population with stem cell properties, illustrate melanoma heterogeneity. Efforts to develop drugs that target more than a single target gene are currently underway.

• Authors: D Mihic-Probst, M Beer
• Journal: Praxis (Praxis (Bern 1994)) Vol. 102 Issue 4 Pg. 219-24 (Feb 13 2013) ISSN: 1661-8157 [Print] Switzerland
• Vernacular Title: Lichtblicke beim schwarzen Hautkrebs aus der Sicht von Pathologen.
• PMID: 23399605 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Biopsy
• Cell Line, Tumor (pathology)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Gene Expression Profiling
• Humans
• Melanoma (genetics, pathology)
• Neoplasm Staging
• Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced (genetics, pathology)
• Nevus, Pigmented (genetics, pathology)
• Prognosis
• Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
• Skin Neoplasms (genetics, pathology)
• Sunlight (adverse effects)
• Ultraviolet Rays (adverse effects)