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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
Cutaneous malignant melanoma
Deborah L Cummins1, Jordan M Cummins, Hardin Pantle
1Department of Dermatology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Abstract:
Skin cancer has become the most common neoplasm in the United States. With early diagnosis and appropriate management, most skin cancers have an overall 5-year survival rate of 95%. Cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM), however, has a significantly higher morbidity and mortality, resulting in 65% of all skin cancer deaths. Although the long-term survival rate for patients with metastatic melanoma is only 5%, early detection of CMM carries an excellent prognosis, with surgical excision often being curative. Primary care physicians can play a critical role in reducing morbidity and mortality from CMM by recognizing patients at risk, encouraging the adoption of risk-reducing behaviors, and becoming adept at identifying suspicious lesions.
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