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What Is Secondary Melanoma?

Melanoma, a type of cancer, starts in the melanocytes, which are skin cells that contain color. When melanoma spreads to other tissues, it is called secondary melanoma. Melanomas are typically graded as being at one of four different stages.

  1. Identification

    • Melanocytes are cells that contain color and are responsible for supplying the pigment of the skin and other tissues. When these cells become cancerous, it is known as a melanoma. Diagnosed approximately 48,000 times a year in the United States, this form of cancer is rapidly growing in prevalence.

    Significance

    • Melanocytes are cells made from the brain's tissue matrix that early in gestation move to the skin area, where they become part of the skin's complex structure. These are not epidermal cells, however, and they retain the ability to migrate and in a way function as a cell unit. One of the most important tasks for a melanocyte is to produce melanin, which protects the skin from UV damage.

    Types

    • Melanomas are typically defined as being part of one of four stages. Stage I is a growth that is on the upper layer of the skin. If the growth reaches deeper into the skin layers but has not spread, it is termed Stage II. Stage III tumors are those that have spread into nearby tissues, and Stage IV tumors are defined by migration into more distant tissues. Secondary melanoma is a melanoma that has spread to other tissues, and so by definition must be Stage III or IV.

    Effects

    • Secondary melanoma (also known as metastatic melanoma) tends to spread to other locations on the skin, as well as to the lymph nodes, brain, bones, liver and lungs. The farther and more extensive the spread of the melanoma, the more serious it is. It should be noted that melanoma that is confined to the skin tissue (also known as primary melanoma) is not particularly dangerous aside from its ability to spread and become secondary melanoma.

    Prevention/Solution

    • The easiest way to prevent secondary melanoma is to keep an eye on any moles or skin growths, especially any that appear to be growing rapidly or that develop unusual structures and appearances. Any suspicious growths should be examined by a dermatologist. Once secondary melanoma has appeared, it is possible to treat it much like many other cancers, using surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

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