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Pathology of Melanoma

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Genetics of Melanoma

Part of the book series: Cancer Genetics ((CANGENETICS))

Abstract

Melanoma results in a significant social impact due to its relatively high mortality and young age of affected patients. During the last decade there have been several crucial advances providing insight to the molecular alterations responsible for melanoma development. Thus, as an example, we now know that most melanomas carry a mutation of the BRAF gene that can be targeted by several therapeutic agents. However, in 2016, the most important evaluation tool to predict prognosis and guide patient management continues to be histologic examination. Thus, this chapter describes the most important histologic factors that allow to render a diagnosis of melanoma and related lesions, with special emphasis to the AJCC/CAP classification of melanoma.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology and Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Victor G. Prieto MD, PhD

  2. Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Christopher R. Shea MD

Authors
  1. Victor G. Prieto MD, PhD
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  2. Christopher R. Shea MD
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Correspondence to Victor G. Prieto MD, PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Chief of Dermatopathology Section, Associate Professor of Pathology and Der, Houston, Texas, USA

    Carlos A. Torres-Cabala

  2. The University of Texas MD Anderson Canc, Associate Professor of Pathology and Der, Houston, Texas, USA

    Jonathan L. Curry

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© 2016 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Prieto, V.G., Shea, C.R. (2016). Pathology of Melanoma. In: Torres-Cabala, C., Curry, J. (eds) Genetics of Melanoma. Cancer Genetics. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3554-3_4

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