Skin Cancer

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never spreads to other parts of the body. Squamous cell carcinoma however, is less common. It often develops from a small rough spot that grows into sun damaged skin and can sometimes spread to other parts of the body. Non-melanoma skin cancer is usually caused by too much sun. Using tanning beds or sunlamps too much can also cause it. There are other types of skin cancer that are non-melanoma but these are much less common - they include Merkel cell carcinoma and several kinds of sarcomas.
Melanomas often resemble moles; some develop from moles. The majority of melanomas are black or brown, but they can also be skin-colored, pink, red, purple, blue or white. Melanoma is caused mainly by intense, occasional UV exposure, frequently leading to sunburn, especially in those who are genetically predisposed to the disease. Melanoma kills an estimated 8,790 people in the US every year.

Genetic Mutations & Genes

Melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer, is responsible for ...

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is found in about 66 percent of melanomas; particularly those arising in younger patients. This BRAF mutation activates certain enzyme pathways that are involved in many cell processes. Studies have identified this non-inherited mutation in the BRAF gene that appears to be the most common event in the process that leads to melanoma.
The V60L mutation is more common in people with light hair and skin tone that, despite being light, tans easily in the summer. This mutation is positive for the climate of the Mediterranean region, as it facilitates the absorption of vitamin D in the winter months, in which the ultraviolet radiation is lower. In the summer months, in which the radiation is ...

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