The origin of melanoma, an aggressive skin cancer, unravelled
Scientists at the Centre for Cancer Biology of the VIB-KU Leuven have discovered that melanocytes are at the root of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer.
Melanocytes are the cells that, under the influence of the ultraviolet light of the sun or tanning beds, produce the pigment melanin in the epidermis. This causes the skin to darken, but it may also cause damage to the DNA, which, in turn, may lead to mutations. Mutated melanocytes will split and spread on the epidermis. Initially, there are benign injuries, but as the disease progresses, the mutated cells penetrate deeper into the skin. At this point, the mutated melanocytes lose their typical properties and are reprogrammed into rapidly multiplying cancer cells.
With this, KU Leuven scientists have demonstrated conclusively that melanoma starts just below the skin surface and that campaigns against the use of tanning beds and excessive sunbathing are essential.
This knowledge will enable doctors in future to detect cancer in good time and predict the behaviour of tumours, which will result in critical time gain. Which is great news for the patient, since a simple operation to remove the superficial melanoma, with a high chance of recovery, will then suffice.