Melanoma

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Melanoma

Melanoma is a malignant skin tumor that involves the skin cells that produce pigment (melanin). The risk of melanoma increases with age, but it can also affect young, otherwise healthy people. Melanoma is an aggressive type of cancer that can spread very rapidly.

Review Date: 12/26/2011
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Senior Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.

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