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Melanoma

Melanoma

Disease Information

Genentech BioOncology is dedicated to advancing the science of melanoma therapy through comprehensive research programs and education. Melanoma is the uncontrolled growth of cancerous cells formed in pigmented tissues. Melanomas can form all over the body.1

  • Melanomas usually originate in melanocytes, which make the pigment melanin, although they can also form in other tissues, such as in the eyes or intestines1
  • The most common sites for melanoma growth are the chest and back for men, and the legs for women1
    • The neck and face are other common sites1
  • Melanoma is less common than other skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, but it is far more deadly1

Melanoma Demographic Statistics

  • Despite accounting for less than 5% of all skin cancer cases, melanoma causes the majority of skin cancer deaths1
  • In 2010, over 68,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with melanoma and about 8,700 people died of the disease1
  • Incidence rates for melanoma have been increasing for at least 30 years1

Melanoma Epidemiology

  • Fair skin, light hair, family history of melanoma, and ultraviolet light exposure are all risk factors for melanoma1
    • The lifetime risk of getting melanoma is about 2% for Caucasians, 0.1% for African Americans, and 0.5% for Hispanics1
  • The 5-year survival rate for people with localized melanoma is 98.0%2
  • The 5-year survival rate for people with melanoma that has spread to regional lymph nodes is 62.1%2
  • The 5-year survival rate for people with metastatic melanoma is 15.3%2

Melanoma can be detected through self-exams and exams by healthcare professionals.3 Some potential warning signs for melanoma include asymmetrical moles; moles with irregular edges; moles that change color, size, or shape; and moles that are larger than 6 millimeters across.3 It is important to catch melanoma early, given the large increase in 5-year survival rates of localized melanoma compared with metastatic melanoma.2,3

References:
1.
American Cancer Society. Skin cancer—melanoma. www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/003120-pdf.pdf. Accessed April 11, 2011.
2.
Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results. http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/melan.html. Accessed April 11, 2011.
3.
American Academy of Dermatology. www.aad.org/skin-conditions/skin-cancer-detection/about-skin-self-exams/how-to-examine-your-skin. Accessed April 11, 2011.