AIM at Melanoma (AIM) is the largest international melanoma foundation globally engaged and locally invested in advancing the battle against melanoma through innovative research, legislative reform, education, and patient & caregiver support.
From aimatmelanoma.org:
In 2022, an estimated 197,700 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the United States. Of those, 97,920 cases will be in situ (noninvasive), confined to the top layer of skin (the epidermis), and 99,780 cases will be invasive, penetrating the epidermis into the skin’s second layer (the dermis). Of the invasive cases, 57,180 will be men and 42,600 will be women.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that occurs when pigment-producing cells—known as melanocytes—mutate and become cancerous. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and is the fifth most common cancer among both men and women. Even though invasive melanoma accounts for only about 1% of all skin cancers, it is responsible for the majority of deaths from skin cancer. Melanoma is dangerous because it is more likely to spread, or metastasize, than other skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Most pigment cells (melanocytes) are found in the skin; therefore, the majority of melanomas are found on the surface of the skin, such as on the back, neck, or legs. But melanoma can also occur in the nail bed (acral lentiginous melanoma), in the eyes (ocular melanoma) and on internal mucosal surfaces (mucosal melanoma), such as the lining of the sinuses, mouth, anal canal, or vagina.
Melanoma can develop anywhere melanocytes are found, but certain areas are more prone than others. In men, it is most likely to affect the back and the head/neck area. In women, the legs are the most common site. Other common sites are the neck and face. Children can also develop melanoma.
AIM at Melanoma (AIM) is the largest international melanoma foundation globally engaged and locally invested in advancing the battle against melanoma through innovative research, legislative reform, education, and patient & caregiver support.
From aimatmelanoma.org:
In 2022, an estimated 197,700 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the United States. Of those, 97,920 cases will be in situ (noninvasive), confined to the top layer of skin (the epidermis), and 99,780 cases will be invasive, penetrating the epidermis into the skin’s second layer (the dermis). Of the invasive cases, 57,180 will be men and 42,600 will be women.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that occurs when pigment-producing cells—known as melanocytes—mutate and become cancerous. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and is the fifth most common cancer among both men and women. Even though invasive melanoma accounts for only about 1% of all skin cancers, it is responsible for the majority of deaths from skin cancer. Melanoma is dangerous because it is more likely to spread, or metastasize, than other skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Most pigment cells (melanocytes) are found in the skin; therefore, the majority of melanomas are found on the surface of the skin, such as on the back, neck, or legs. But melanoma can also occur in the nail bed (acral lentiginous melanoma), in the eyes (ocular melanoma) and on internal mucosal surfaces (mucosal melanoma), such as the lining of the sinuses, mouth, anal canal, or vagina.
Melanoma can develop anywhere melanocytes are found, but certain areas are more prone than others. In men, it is most likely to affect the back and the head/neck area. In women, the legs are the most common site. Other common sites are the neck and face. Children can also develop melanoma.