Skin melanoma: causes and main treatment approaches

Skin melanoma is one of the most common types of cancer in the world, and the incidence rate continues to grow in many regions. The main risk factor for the development of this disease remains exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, for example, with prolonged exposure to the sun. In addition to damage caused by UV radiation, the development of melanoma is also associated with certain hereditary and acquired genetic changes. The stage of skin melanoma at the time of diagnosis is a key prognostic factor, which is typical for most malignant neoplasms. The development of skin melanoma is facilitated by context-dependent genetic mutations that either weaken tumor suppression mechanisms or activate signaling pathways that stimulate their growth. In addition to external factors such as exposure to ultraviolet radiation, the tumor microenvironment can have a significant impact on the progression, invasive growth and metastasis of melanoma. Malignant melanoma can arise from both benign nevi and de novo – without previous formations. Diagnosis of this disease can be difficult due to the wide variety of precancerous melanocytic changes. Molecular markers and gene expression profiles come to the aid of doctors, facilitating a more accurate definition of the pathology. Since skin melanoma is one of the most metastatic cancers in humans, its early detection opens up the possibility of effective treatment. This creates a need for more accurate methods for predicting the course of the disease, which can be based on modern genetic tests. Treatment of patients at early stages, as well as their subsequent follow-up, play a key role in improving the quality of life of patients and improving long-term treatment results.