The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Early Diagnosis and Molecular Classification of Head and Neck Skin Cancers: A Multidisciplinary Approach.

Cancer remains a significant global health concern, with increasing genetic and metabolic irregularities linked to its onset. Among various forms of cancer, skin cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma, is on the rise worldwide, often triggered by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The propensity of skin cancer to metastasize highlights the importance of early detection for successful treatment. This narrative review explores the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in diagnosing head and neck skin cancers from both radiological and pathological perspectives. In the past two decades, AI has made remarkable progress in skin cancer research, driven by advances in computational capabilities, digitalization of medical images, and radiomics data. AI has shown significant promise in image-based diagnosis across various medical domains. In dermatology, AI has played a pivotal role in refining diagnostic and treatment strategies, including genomic risk assessment. This technology offers substantial potential to aid primary clinicians in improving patient outcomes. Studies have demonstrated AI's effectiveness in identifying skin lesions, categorizing them, and assessing their malignancy, contributing to earlier interventions and better prognosis. The rising incidence and mortality rates of skin cancer, coupled with the high cost of treatment, emphasize the need for early diagnosis. Further research and integration of AI into clinical practice are warranted to maximize its benefits in skin cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Predicting Factors and Clinical Characteristics of Pruritus in Psoriasis: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Pruritus is an important symptom among patients affected by psoriasis. To date, no general agreement has been established regarding pruritus as a measure of psoriasis severity. This study aims to assess psoriatic pruritis prevalence and characteristics using a comprehensive itch questionnaire. A semi-structured questionnaire consisting of 48 questions was applied to patients diagnosed with psoriasis and admitted to the Dermatology Department of Mures Clinical County Hospital, Romania. A total of 163 patients were enrolled, out of which 115 (70.55%) reported itch. Patients with itch had higher PASI (p = 0.003) and DLQI scores (p < 0.001). The itch was most frequently described as a crawling sensation, mainly located in the lesional skin and aggravated by stress and temperature variation. It had a moderate intensity (6.18 ± 2.46). Emollients were the treatment preferred by most patients in alleviating itch, while biologics exerted a protective effect on itch development (OR = -0.24; p < 0.0001) and negatively correlated with itch intensity (r = -0.23; p < 0.0001). Advanced age, high BMI, and PASI scores were indicators of itch presence, while female gender, high PASI score, and frequent itch episodes indicate highly intense pruritus (≥7 on the VAS). A better understanding of itch and its clinical features will guide physicians toward the best treatment option and would, ultimately, benefit the patient.

Epidermal Barrier Parameters in Psoriasis: Implications in Assessing Disease Severity.

Psoriasis is characterized by an aberrant immune response due to myeloid dendritic cells and T helper cells intertwining with keratinocyte hyperproliferation. Skin integrity alterations may predispose patients to physiological imbalances, such as xerosis, reduced elasticity, and increased friability. This study aims to assess the epidermal barrier dysfunction in chronic plaque psoriasis and gain a comprehensive view of the dynamic changes in the epidermal barrier during various topical therapies. Adult patients with chronic plaque psoriasis were enrolled in this observational study. For each patient, skin barrier parameters, stratum corneum hydration (SCH), transepidermal water loss (TEWL), elasticity, erythema, and melanin levels were measured in lesional and non-lesional skin. Two extensions of the initial study design, with subsequent epidermal barrier determinations, were made as follows: one in which patients with moderate psoriasis were treated with clobetasol propionate 0.5% and the second one in which mild psoriasis was treated with either clobetasol propionate 0.5% or clobetasol propionate 0.5% with 10% urea. TEWL and erythema were found to be higher in the sites affected by psoriatic lesions than the unaffected sites, while SCH and elasticity were decreased. Severe psoriasis presented with higher TEWL (p = 0.032), erythema (p = 0.002), and lower SCH (p < 0.001) compared with the mild and moderate forms. SCH significantly improved during clobetasol propionate 0.5% treatment (p = 0.015). Clobetasol propionate 0.5% with 10% urea was found to be superior to clobetasol propionate 0.5% in improving TEWL and SCH in psoriasis.

Blood-Count-Derived Inflammatory Markers as Predictors of Response to Biologics and Small-Molecule Inhibitors in Psoriasis: A Multicenter Study.

Background: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated chronic disorder associated with various comorbidities. Even though biologics and small-molecule inhibitors are the mainstay treatment for moderate-to-severe psoriasis, there is no current consensus regarding which agent should be used for a specific type of patient. This paper aims to test the reliability of blood-count-derived inflammatory markers in assessing treatment response to biologics and small-molecule inhibitors in psoriasis. Material and Methods: Bio-naïve adult patients diagnosed with chronic plaque psoriasis fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled. They were divided into study subgroups based on treatment of choice, and blood-count-derived inflammatory markers were analyzed at baseline, three-month, six-month, and at twelve-month visits. Results: A total of 240 patients were included. The highest number of patients underwent treatment with ixekizumab. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), platelet-to-monocyte ratio (PMR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (d-NLR), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), systemic immune inflammation index (SII), and aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI) all varied significantly (p < 0.005) between the four visits. The psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score correlated with PLR, d-NLR, and SII, while the psoriasis scalp severity index (PSSI) score correlated with AISI and SIRI. More than half of patients reached the target goal of PASI90 at the six-month visit. A total of 77 patients were super-responders, with the highest number undergoing treatment with ixekizumab. Higher baseline values of d-NLR and SIRI are independent predictors of the super-responder status. Conclusions: Blood-count-derived inflammatory markers can serve as indicators of treatment response to biologics in psoriasis, while d-NLR and SIRI were independent predictors of super-responders in our study.

Short-term S100A8/A9 Blockade Promotes Cardiac Neovascularization after Myocardial Infarction.

Acute-phase inhibition of the pro-inflammatory alarmin S100A8/A9 improves cardiac function post-myocardial infarction (MI), but the mechanisms underlying the long-term benefits of this short-term treatment remain to be elucidated. Here, we assessed the effects of S100A8/A9 blockade with the small-molecule inhibitor ABR-238901 on myocardial neovascularization in mice with induced MI. The treatment significantly reduced S100A9 and increased neovascularization in the myocardium, assessed by CD31 staining. Proteomic analysis by mass-spectrometry showed strong myocardial upregulation of the pro-angiogenic proteins filamin A (~ 10-fold) and reticulon 4 (~ 5-fold), and downregulation of the anti-angiogenic proteins Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA, ~ 4.7-fold), neutrophilic granule protein (Ngp, ~ 4.0-fold), and cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (Camp, ~ 4.4-fold) versus controls. In-vitro, ABR-238901 protected against apoptosis induced by recombinant human S100A8/A9 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In conclusion, S100A8/A9 blockade promotes post-MI myocardial neovascularization by favorably modulating pro-angiogenic proteins in the myocardium and by inhibiting endothelial cell apoptosis.

Understanding the Pathophysiology of Preeclampsia: Exploring the Role of Antiphospholipid Antibodies and Future Directions.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy associated with significant fetal and maternal complications. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired form of thrombophilia characterized by recurrent venous or arterial thrombosis and obstetric complications that significantly increases morbidity and mortality rates. While preeclampsia may not be the most prevalent obstetric complication in APS, it significantly impacts the long-term health of both mother and child. The treatment of preeclampsia in antiphospholipid syndrome is different from the treatment of preeclampsia as an independent disease. Despite current treatments involving anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, and antihypertensive drugs, obstetric complications may persist, underscoring the need for cohesive management and effective treatments. The objective of our review is to briefly present knowledge about the physiopathology of preeclampsia and the role of antiphospholipid antibodies in this process. Based on the existing literature, our review aims to identify future directions in molecular pathology toward the discovery of biomarkers and targeted treatments. The application of multidisciplinary approaches and prognostic models, including new biomarkers, could be beneficial in the prediction of PE.

H-VISTA Immunohistochemistry Score Is Associated with Advanced Stages in Cutaneous and Ocular Melanoma.

Melanoma represents a public health issue. One of the biggest goals of current research is to develop new therapeutic options for patients affected by this aggressive tumor. We conducted a retrospective study including 105 patients diagnosed with cutaneous and ocular melanoma, with stages varying from pT1a to pT4b and pT4e, respectively, and we performed immunohistochemistry reactions with the new potential prognostic marker, VISTA (V-domain Ig suppressor of T cell activation). We quantified the expression by applying the H-score adapted for VISTA and divided the patients, based on the median value, into groups that presented high, low, and negative expression. Therefore, we obtained 65 cases with positive expression for cutaneous melanoma and 8 cases with positive expression for ocular melanoma. Forty-one cases presented high expression in cutaneous melanoma and three cases presented high expression in ocular melanoma. In cutaneous melanoma, analytic statistics showed that VISTA expression was associated with a high Breslow index, high mitotic count, high Ki67 expression, and advanced clinicopathological stage. The majority of ocular melanoma cases demonstrating a positive reaction were classified as stage pT3, whereas earlier stages showed a negative reaction. Our findings underscore a significant correlation between VISTA expression and key prognostic factors in melanoma. Looking ahead, the prospect of future randomized studies holds promise in corroborating the clinical relevance of our findings. By further elucidating the intricate relationship between VISTA expression and melanoma progression, new treatment strategies could be found, improving patient outcomes in this challenging neoplasm.

Shared Pathogenic and Therapeutic Characteristics of Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, and Endometrial Cancer: A Comprehensive Literature Review.

Endometriosis and adenomyosis behave similarly to cancer. No current treatments represent a cure, even if there are several options, including hormonal and surgical therapy. In advanced or recurrent pathologies, however, personalized treatment is necessary. We have found that due to the multiple common features, various therapeutic options have been used or studied for all three pathologies, with varying results. The objective of this review is to extract from the relevant literature the compounds that are used for endometriosis and adenomyosis characterized by malignant behavior, with some of these drugs being studied first in the treatment of endometrial cancer. Special attention is needed in the pathogenesis of these pathologies. Despite the multiple drugs that have been tested, only a few of them have been introduced into clinical practice. An unmet need is the cure of these diseases. Long-time treatment is necessary because symptoms persist, and surgery is often followed by postoperative recurrence. We emphasize the need for new, effective, long-term treatments based on pathogeny while considering their adverse effects.

The importance of combined HPV and CINtec® PLUS genotyping testing for p16 in women with cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for p16INK4A (p16) is a reliable surrogate test for the presence of a high-risk, potentially transformative human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in precursor and malignant lesions of the cervix. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in cervical cells caused by persistent HPV infection, by IHC (p16 protein) by comparison with HPV genotyping. PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included female patients aged between 26 and 57 years who presented to a public hospital, with complaints related to the genital area, namely vaginal bleeding and dyspareunia. After selecting the patients, samples were subjected to cytological testing and IHC for p16 and for the determination of HPV types. RESULTS: The relationship between HPV status and p16 status was statistically significant (p=0.0001), of the 41 patients, 53.7% were HPV positive, respectively 56.1% were p16 positive, the agreement relationship between the two indicators was very high (weighted kappa: 0.951). The clinical performance of CINtec® PLUS triage for p16 shows a high positive predictive value (PPV) and a high negative predictive value (NPV) of 95.7% and 100%, respectively, as regards HPV. CONCLUSIONS: The p16 marker (CINtec® PLUS) can be used as a prognostic biomarker and provides clinical usefulness through increased sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) in the triage of women at risk of developing precancerous lesions, compared to cytology that is based on morphology, but has a rather low Se and high Sp, while HPV testing is very sensitive but slightly more specific.

Pathophysiology, Histopathology, and Differential Diagnostics of Basal Cell Carcinoma and Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma-An Update from the Pathologist's Point of View.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) are the most frequently occurring non-melanocytic skin cancers. The objective of our study is to present the pathophysiology of BCC and cSCC and its direct relationship with the histopathological diagnostics and the differential diagnostics of these types of cancer, based on the morphological characteristics, immunohistochemical profile, and genetic alterations. The qualitative study was based on emphasizing the morphological characteristics and immunohistochemistry profiles of BCC and cSCC and the differential diagnostics based on the tissue samples from the Clinical Pathology Department of Mures Clinical County Hospital between 2020 and 2022. We analyzed the histopathological appearances and immunohistochemical profiles of BCC and cSCC in comparison with those of Bowen disease, keratoacanthoma, hyperkeratotic squamous papilloma, metatypical carcinoma, pilomatricoma, trichoblastoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS), and melanoma. Our study showed the importance of the correct histopathological diagnosis, which has a direct impact on the appropriate treatment and outcome for each patient. The study highlighted the histopathological and morphological characteristics of NMSCs and the precursor lesions in HE and the immunohistochemical profile for lesions that may make the differential diagnosis difficult to establish.

Impact of Blood-Count-Derived Inflammatory Markers in Psoriatic Disease Progression.

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated disease, linked to local and systemic inflammation and predisposing patients to a higher risk of associated comorbidities. Cytokine levels are not widely available for disease progression monitoring due to high costs. Validated low-cost and reliable markers are needed for assessing disease progression and outcome. This study aims to assess the reliability of blood-count-derived inflammatory markers as disease predictors and to identify prognostic factors for disease severity. Patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into three study groups according to disease severity measured by the Body Surface Area (BSA) score: mild, moderate, and severe psoriasis. White blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (d-NLR), systemic immune index (SII), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), and aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI) positively were correlated with disease severity (p < 0.005). d-NLR, NLR, and SII are independent prognostic factors for mild and moderate psoriasis (p < 0.05). d-NLR is the only independent prognostic factor for all three study groups. Moderate psoriasis is defined by d-NLR values between 1.49 and 2.19. NLR, PLR, d-NLR, MLR, SII, SIRI, and AISI are useful indicators of systemic inflammation and disease severity in psoriasis.

Human Placenta and Evolving Insights into Pathological Changes of Preeclampsia: A Comprehensive Review of the Last Decade.

The placenta, the foremost and multifaceted organ in fetal and maternal biology, is pivotal in facilitating optimal intrauterine fetal development. Remarkably, despite its paramount significance, the placenta remains enigmatic, meriting greater comprehension given its central influence on the health trajectories of both the fetus and the mother. Preeclampsia (PE) and intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IUGR), prevailing disorders of pregnancy, stem from compromised placental development. PE, characterized by heightened mortality and morbidity risks, afflicts 5-7% of global pregnancies, its etiology shrouded in ambiguity. Pertinent pathogenic hallmarks of PE encompass inadequate restructuring of uteroplacental spiral arteries, placental ischemia, and elevated levels of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1), also recognized as soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1). During gestation, the placental derivation of sFlt-1 accentuates its role as an inhibitory receptor binding to VEGF-A and placental growth factor (PlGF), curtailing target cell accessibility. This review expounds upon the placenta's defining cellular component of the trophoblast, elucidates the intricacies of PE pathogenesis, underscores the pivotal contribution of sFlt-1 to maternal pathology and fetal safeguarding, and surveys recent therapeutic strides witnessed in the past decade.

Cancer Cachexia: New Insights and Future Directions.

Cancer remains a major health problem and is associated with cachexia in up to 80% of cases, leading to decreased survival and quality of life. Cachexia involves complex metabolic disturbances in both protein and energy balance, muscle wasting phenomena, weight loss, systemic inflammation, overall decreased performance status, and tolerability to treatment. The clinical impact of cancer cachexia is very complex, with early detection of cachectic patients and identification of predictive biomarkers being two key factors for improving survival. Thus, a better understanding of the complexity of cancer cachexia phenomena and its main pathophysiological mechanism is much needed. Our review highlights the most important information about cancer cachexia, aiming to disseminate updated research findings about this highly deadly condition.

Predictive Performances of Blood-Count-Derived Inflammatory Markers for Liver Fibrosis Severity in Psoriasis Vulgaris.

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, chronic disorder that significantly alters patients' quality of life and predisposes them to a higher risk of comorbidities, including liver fibrosis. Various non-invasive tests (NITs) have been validated to assess liver fibrosis severity, while blood-count-derived inflammatory markers have been proven to be reliable in reflecting inflammatory status in psoriatic disease. The fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index became part of the newest guideline for monitoring psoriasis patients undergoing systemic treatment. Patients with psoriasis vulgaris and fulfilling inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study, aiming to assess for the first time in the literature whether such inflammatory markers are useful in predicting liver fibrosis. Based on internationally validated FIB-4 index values, patients were divided into two study groups: a low risk of significant fibrosis (LR-SF) and a high risk of significant fibrosis (HR-SF). Patients from HR-SF were significantly older and had higher values of the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) (p < 0.001), which further significantly correlated with fibrosis severity (p < 0.001). Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune inflammation index (SII), platelet-to-white blood cell ratio (PWR), and aggregate index of systemic inflammations (AISI) significantly correlated negatively with liver fibrosis (p < 0.001). PWR proved to be the most reliable inflammatory predictor of fibrosis severity (AUC = 0.657). MLR, PWR, and AISI were independent inflammatory markers in multivariate analysis (p < 0.001), while the AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) and AST to ALT ratio (AAR) can be used as additional NITs for significant liver fibrosis (p < 0.001). In limited-resources settings, blood-count-derived inflammatory markers such as MLR, PWR, and AISI, respectively, and hepatic indexes APRI and AAR prove to be of particular help in predicting significant liver fibrosis.

Potential Defence Mechanisms Triggered by Monosodium Glutamate Sub-Chronic Consumption in Two-Year-Old Wistar Rats.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is the sodium salt of glutamic acid (GLA), used as a flavour enhancer. MSG is considered a controversial substance. It is incriminated in disturbing the antioxidant system, but also has beneficial effects, as GLA metabolism plays a crucial role in homeostasis. This study highlights which positive or negative aspects of MSG sub-chronic consumption are better reflected in subjects potentially affected by advanced age. Daily doses of MSG were administered to four groups of two-year-old Wistar rats for 90 days: (I) 185 mg/kg bw, (II) 1500 mg/kg bw, (III) 3000 mg/kg bw and (IV) 6000 mg/kg bw, compared to a MSG non-consumer group. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, direct and total bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine and urea levels were analysed; stomach, liver and kidney samples were subjected to histopathological analysis. Although, in most cases, there were no statistical differences, interesting aspects of the dose-effect relationship were observed. After MSG sub-chronic consumption, the positive aspects of GLA seem to be reflected better than the negative ones. The hormesis effect, with low-level reactive oxygen species' protective effects and GLA metabolism, may represent the hypothesis of a potential defence mechanism triggered by MSG sub-chronic consumption in ageing rats.

The Inflammatory Profile Correlates with COVID-19 Severity and Mortality in Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: The correlation of the inflammatory profile with the severity of the disease in neoplastic patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection was addressed. METHODS: A database of 1537 patients hospitalized in the pneumology department was analyzed. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 83 patients (67% males, 33% females) were included. RESULTS: Most of the analyzed patients were hospitalized with a moderate form of disease, explaining the significant percentage of 25% mortality. The frequency of the type of neoplasm was higher for lung cancer, followed by malignant colon tumor. We identified a significant association between the increased value of ferritin (p < 0.0001, OR = 22.31), fibrinogen (p = 0.009, OR = 13.41), and C-reactive protein (p = 0.01, OR = 7.65), respectively, and the level of severity of COVID-19. The results of the univariate logistic regression analysis for predicting the severity of the disease revealed that the increased values of ferritin (p = 0.001, OR = 22.31) and fibrinogen (p = 0.02, OR = 13.41) represent a risk for a serious negative prognosis of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that the value of the analyzed inflammatory parameters increased in direct proportion to the severity of the disease and that higher values were associated with increased mortality in the study group.

Age, Sex, Metabolic and Pharmacologic Factors May Predict Nonresponse Status to Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapies.

BACKGROUND/AIM: A real challenge for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and rheumatologists is primary nonresponse status (PNRS) or secondary nonresponse status (SNRS) to various therapies. Despite their detrimental influence on patient life quality, PNRS and SNRS have no accurate definition and no early predictive criteria for their development exist. Patients with RA under 40 years of age are rare, hence PNRS and SNRS data for this age group are scarce. This study examined the PNRS and SNRS according to sex, age, BMI, therapy type, and duration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, 115 patients with RA having PNRS and/or SNRS were stratified by age (22-39, 40-59, and 60-81). The association between body mass index (BMI), proinflammatory cytokines inhibitors, JAK inhibitors, and TNF-alpha inhibitors, sex, age, and PNRS and SNRS was examined. RESULTS: All three proinflammatory cytokine inhibitors (rituximab, tocilizumab, and abatacept) were associated with PNRS and SNRS in women with a high BMI aged 40-59 years. Abatacept-related PNRS and SNRS was significant in women with normal BMI aged 60-81 years. Adalimumab, infliximab, and golimumab affected SNRS differently in women with normal BMI aged 22-39 years and women with high BMI aged 60-81 years. Etanercept and infliximab were associated with SNRS status in men with high-BMI aged 40-59 years. CONCLUSION: PNRS and SNRS development in patients with RA is significantly influenced by age, sex, and BMI, but most importantly is closely and differentially related to therapy type and duration.

Research Hotspots in Psoriasis: A Bibliometric Study of the Top 100 Most Cited Articles.

(1) Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated disease that negatively impacts patients' quality of life and predisposes them to cardiovascular or metabolic diseases. This paper aims to summarize the knowledge structure and future directions in psoriasis research by means of bibliometrics. (2) Material and methods: The Thomson Reuters Web of Science database was interrogated using preestablished keywords. A list of the top 100 most cited articles focusing solely on psoriasis was compiled and analyzed. VOSviewer software was used to assess and visualize collaboration networks, citation, co-citation and co-wording analysis, and bibliographic coupling. (3) Results: The articles were written by 902 authors from 20 countries and were published in 31 journals. The United States was at the forefront of this field. Griffiths, CEM had the most citations, while the most prolific institution was Rockefeller University, New York City. Pathogenesis, especially key-pathogenic factors, immune pathways, and epidemiology were the most discussed topics. Work published in the last decade focused on the use of biologics. Keywords such as "quality of life", "efficacy", and "necrosis-factor alpha" have been widely used. (4) Conclusion: Research interest regarding psoriasis is high, leading to the rapid development of this field. Treatment modalities, especially novel-targeted therapies, immune pathways, and an integrative approach to such cases are receiving great interest and represent research hotspots in the future.

Morphological aspects and therapeutic options in melanoma: a narrative review of the past decade.

Melanoma is a malignant cancer of the skin, the incidence of which has been increasing year by year. This neoplasm has high aggressivity as well as the potential for invasion and metastases. Multiple factors related to the proliferation of this type of tumor have been identified, such as exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and specific genetic backgrounds. From a histological and cytological point of view, the most common cells that are found in melanoma are epithelioid or spindle cells. To confirm the diagnosis and the melanocytic origin of the tumor, specific and sensitive markers are used. Also, observation of the behavior of this cancer, including its proliferative properties, has led to the development of multiple therapies, each of which is characteristic of the pathological stage at the time of diagnosis. While surgery is the most important therapeutic and curative option in cases of melanoma in situ, chemotherapy has been the main treatment for advanced stages of melanoma for many years. However, recently, targeted therapy and immunotherapy have changed the approach to treatment. At present, multiple studies are attempting to obtain further data about the tumor microenvironment and investigating how targeting particular molecules can change the prognosis of patients.