Malignant Melanoma Classification Given Additional Genetic Component

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Main Category: Melanoma / Skin Cancer
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Genetics
Article Date: 05 Jun 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Existing melanoma classifications have been refined by a team at the University of California San Francisco according to an article released on June 2, 2008 in the open access journal PLoS Medicine.

Melanoma, a malignant tumor of melanocytes, are presently classified by morphological means. The present classification system, while generally consistent, does not offer information about the treatment methods that are best suited to that cancer. This team refined these morphological systems by their causative mutations, creating genetically homogeneous subgroups. This holds promise to help patients whose tumors have metastisized find better treatment options.

Jonathan Rees of the University of Edinburgh contributed a related Research in Translation paper, in which he highlights several omissions in our knowledge about the etiology of non-acral melanomas.

Improving melanoma classification by integrating genetic and morphologic features.
Viros A, Fridlyand J, Bauer J, Lasithiotakis K, Garbe C, et al.
PLoS Med 5(6): e120.
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Melanoma: What are the gaps in our knowledge?
Rees JL
PLoS Med 5(6): e122.
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Written by Anna Sophia McKenney
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