Which condition is a malignant neoplasm arising from melanocytes?

Which condition is a malignant neoplasm arising from melanocytes?

• A. Melanoma
• B. Carcinoma
• C. Leukemia
• D. Lymphoma

Answer: (A)

Malignant neoplasms are named by the tissue of origin. Melanocytes are pigment-producing cells in the epidermis, and when they become cancerous the tumor is called melanoma. This differs from other cancers: carcinoma arises from epithelial cells, leukemia from malignant blood-forming cells in bone marrow and blood, and lymphoma from malignant lymphocytes in the lymphatic system. Melanoma most often appears in the skin (and other pigmented sites) and can be particularly aggressive if not detected early. Therefore, the malignant neoplasm arising from melanocytes is melanoma.

Malignant neoplasms are named by the tissue of origin. Melanocytes are pigment-producing cells in the epidermis, and when they become cancerous the tumor is called melanoma. This differs from other cancers: carcinoma arises from epithelial cells, leukemia from malignant blood-forming cells in bone marrow and blood, and lymphoma from malignant lymphocytes in the lymphatic system. Melanoma most often appears in the skin (and other pigmented sites) and can be particularly aggressive if not detected early. Therefore, the malignant neoplasm arising from melanocytes is melanoma.