Melanoma in 3D

What am I looking at?

This image shows the 3D structure of a melanoma cell; the image was derived from ion abrasion scanning electron microscopy, a technique that later became known as focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy. The large spherical structure in the middle is the cell’s nucleus (1). The ghostly translucent outline around the outside is the cell membrane (2). The pink organelles are mitochondria (3). And the gold fibers are endoplasmic reticulum membranes (4).

Biology in the background

Melanoma is a very dangerous type of skin cancer. In fact, melanoma is responsible for more deaths each year than the next two most dangerous types of skin cancer (basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers) combined. One of the reasons that melanoma is so dangerous is because all melanoma cancers are malignant, meaning they can spread to other parts of the body.

Melanomas arise from pigment-containing cells in the skin called melanocytes. The most common place for melanomas to appear is on the legs in women and on the back in men. The primary cause of melanoma is overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, which can cause mutatations in cells’ DNA, resulting in uncontrolled cell division. UV light is present in sunlight and in the light from tanning beds, which is why it’s important to protect your skin when you’re in the sun for extended periods of time.

Melanoma cells can grow up to 21 micrometers across, or roughly four times smaller than the width of a human hair.

Technique

This image was created using focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy.