Melanoma is a cancer that forms in melanocytes, the skin cells that produce a brown pigment known as melanin. These are the cells that darken when exposed to the sun, a protective response to shield the deeper layers of the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. But, unlike other forms of skin cancer, melanoma may develop in parts of the body not normally exposed to sunlight, such as the groin or bottoms of the feet. It may also form in the eye.
Melanoma is more likely than other skin cancers to spread to the lymph nodes or metastasize to other parts of the body. Melanoma accounts for about 2 percent of all skin cancer cases, but it is also responsible for most deaths caused by skin cancer.
Melanoma can be a complex disease, so it is important to work with experienced cancer doctors who employ state-of-the-art technologies and treatments. At Cancer Treatment Centers of Munich (CTCM), our oncologists have experience with the growing array of precision cancer treatments for melanoma, including immunotherapy and targeted therapy.