MALIGNANT MELANOMAS Meaning and
Definition
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Malignant melanomas, also referred to as malignant melanocytic neoplasms, are a type of aggressive and potentially deadly cancerous growth that arises from melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells responsible for producing the pigment in the skin known as melanin. Normally, these cells are mostly found in the skin, but they can also be found in various other parts of the body, such as the eyes, mucous membranes, and gastrointestinal tract.
Malignant melanomas display an uncontrolled growth pattern, resulting in the formation of abnormal and atypical cells. These cells possess the ability to invade nearby tissues and spread (metastasize) to distant sites in the body. Therefore, early detection and treatment are crucial for improving the chances of successful outcomes.
Malignant melanomas typically manifest as new or existing moles that undergo changes in size, shape, color, or texture. They may also appear as dark, irregularly shaped lesions that exhibit asymmetry, have uneven or jagged borders, and vary in color within the same lesion. These cancerous growths tend to have a propensity for rapid growth and may bleed or become raised.
Risk factors for developing malignant melanomas include excessive ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, especially from sunlight or tanning beds, fair skin color, a family history of melanoma, numerous atypical moles, and a weakened immune system.
Management of malignant melanomas primarily involves surgical removal of the affected area and, in advanced cases, additional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy may be employed. Regular follow-up examinations and self-examination of the skin are crucial to monitor for potential recurrence or new lesions.
Common Misspellings for MALIGNANT MELANOMAS
- nalignant melanomas
- kalignant melanomas
- jalignant melanomas
- mzlignant melanomas
- mslignant melanomas
- mwlignant melanomas
- mqlignant melanomas
- makignant melanomas
- mapignant melanomas
- maoignant melanomas
- malugnant melanomas
- maljgnant melanomas
- malkgnant melanomas
- malognant melanomas
- mal9gnant melanomas
- mal8gnant melanomas
- malifnant melanomas
- malivnant melanomas
- malibnant melanomas
- malihnant melanomas
Etymology of MALIGNANT MELANOMAS
The word "Malignant Melanomas" consists of two parts that have distinct etymologies:
1. Malignant: The term "malignant" comes from the Latin word "malignus", which means "evil in nature" or "disposed to cause harm". It originated from the combination of "malus" meaning "bad" and "genus" meaning "kind". In medical terminology, "malignant" refers to a tumor or growth that is cancerous and has the potential to spread or invade nearby tissues.
2. Melanoma: The word "melanoma" also has Latin roots. It is derived from the Greek words "melas" meaning "black" and "oma" meaning "tumor".
