Discuss the Molecular Pathogenesis of Malignant Melanoma

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The Answer is The cell of origin of malignant melanoma is the melanocyte, which resides in the basal layer of the epidermis. When malignant melanoma first develops, the basement membrane forms a protective barrier that keeps the tumor cells confined (in situ). However, malignant melanocytes are unusual in their ability to breach the basement membrane and invade the underlying dermis. The high metastatic potential of malignant melanoma is responsible for its significant impact on cancer mortality.
Damage to melanocytes caused by ultraviolet radiation is central to the pathogenesis of malignant melanoma. For example, patients with xeroderma pigmentosum have a genetically inherited defect in the repair of DNA photoproducts induced by ultraviolet radiation, and individuals with this condition are at greatly increased risk of developing malignant melanoma as well as squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas of the skin.
In addition to the potential for inducing mutagenic changes in the DNA of melanocytes, ultraviolet radiation also causes inflammation and immunosuppression in the skin, both of which may play a role in carcinogenesis as well as the metastatic spread of cancer.

Discuss the Molecular Pathogenesis of Malignant Melanoma

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