Melanoma-associated leukoderma
Melanoma-associated leukoderma
Melanoma-associated leukoderma (pronunciation: meh-luh-noh-muh asoh-see-ay-ted loo-ko-der-muh) is a medical condition characterized by the loss of skin pigmentation in patients diagnosed with melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
Etymology
The term "melanoma-associated leukoderma" is derived from three words. "Melanoma" is a Greek word where 'melas' means black and 'oma' means tumor. "Associated" is derived from the Latin word 'associare' which means to connect or join. "Leukoderma" is also a Greek word where 'leuko' means white and 'derma' means skin. Thus, the term essentially refers to the white skin associated with the black tumor.
Definition
Melanoma-associated leukoderma is a rare, acquired depigmentation of the skin that is associated with melanoma. It is often observed in melanoma patients and is considered an autoimmune response to the melanoma tumor.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of melanoma-associated leukoderma is the appearance of white patches on the skin. These patches can appear anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the face, neck, and hands.
Causes
The exact cause of melanoma-associated leukoderma is unknown. However, it is believed to be an autoimmune response to the melanoma tumor. The immune system attacks the melanoma cells, but also attacks the normal melanocytes, leading to depigmentation of the skin.
Treatment
Treatment for melanoma-associated leukoderma is primarily focused on treating the underlying melanoma. This can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. There is currently no specific treatment for the leukoderma itself.
Related Terms
- Vitiligo: A condition that causes the loss of skin color in blotches.
- Autoimmune disease: A condition in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your body.
- Melanocytes: Cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Melanoma-associated leukoderma
- Wikipedia's article - Melanoma-associated leukoderma
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