Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...

Pigmentation

Pigmentation

The color of the skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred to the keratinocytes via melanosomes.
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption

As individuals age, their body's physiology evolves, affecting drug pharmacokinetics. The most apparent changes occur in the gastrointestinal tract, where an increase in gastric pH, a delay in gastric emptying, and a reduction in gastrointestinal motility are observed. Remarkably, these changes do not substantially modify the absorption of orally administered drugs, particularly those absorbed via passive diffusion.Transdermal drug delivery emerges as a highly viable method for older adults due...

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...

Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients

Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients

Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Split thickness skin grafting: Cross sectional study of demographics, fixation techniques and complications in an Australian regional center.

Current problems in surgery·2026

Same author

Laser-based therapies in the management of non-melanoma skin cancers: a narrative review.

Lasers in medical science·2026

Same author

Neural correlates of altered loss aversion in alcohol use disorder: preliminary evidence of sex-related differences from 18F-FDG-PET imaging.

Frontiers in psychiatry·2026

Same author

The Role of Laser Modalities in Melanoma Management: Critical Analysis of Local Control and Palliative Applications.

Cancers·2026

Same author

Type 1 Diabetes and Multiple Sclerosis Share General Autoimmunity Genetic Variation.

Genes·2026

Same author

Clinical Characteristics at the Diagnosis of New Primary Melanoma in Italy: A Multicenter Retrospective Study Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Journal of clinical medicine·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model

Published on: September 7, 2013

Cutaneous melanoma in the elderly.

Alessandro Testori¹, Javier Soteldo, Daniele Sances

¹Division of Melanoma and Soft Tissue Sarcoma, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy. alessandro.testori@ieo.it

Melanoma Research

|April 22, 2009

Summary

Diagnosing and treating elderly patients with cutaneous melanoma presents challenges, often leading to delayed detection and poorer outcomes. Early melanoma detection and appropriate surgical or medical treatment are crucial for improving survival rates in this population.

More Related Videos

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model

Published on: May 18, 2018

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells

Published on: June 7, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model

Published on: September 7, 2013

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model

Published on: May 18, 2018

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells

Published on: June 7, 2019

Area of Science:

Dermatology
Geriatric Medicine
Surgical Oncology

Background:

Cutaneous melanoma diagnosis and treatment in elderly patients face unique challenges.
Late diagnosis and poorer prognosis are significant concerns in this demographic.
Early detection and effective management are vital for improving outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties in elderly patients with cutaneous melanoma.
To identify key factors contributing to late diagnosis and poor prognosis.
To review current surgical and palliative treatment options for advanced disease.

Main Methods:

Systematic literature review focusing on elderly patients with cutaneous melanoma.
Analysis of clinical features, histopathology, and therapeutic strategies.
Examination of surgical procedures for primary tumors and lymph node staging.

Main Results:

Elderly patients often experience delayed melanoma diagnosis due to various factors.
Surgical intervention is frequently curative for early-stage melanoma.
Management of advanced melanoma requires tailored curative and palliative approaches.

Conclusions:

Addressing diagnostic and treatment challenges in elderly melanoma patients is critical.
Knowledge of disease specifics and available therapies is essential for clinicians.
Future molecular genetic factors may offer enhanced prognostic insights for this group.