Stage 4 melanoma is caused when melanoma progresses and has spread from the skin through the lymph nodes and into other internal organs. When it first develops, it appears that melanoma is caused when there are problems with the DNA that controls skin cells. In people with melanoma, DNA is damaged and causes an overgrowth of skin cells, which results in a cancerous melanoma. Although it's not proven that ultraviolet (UV) light causes melanoma, skin that is exposed to UVA and UVB radiation from sun exposure or tanning beds seems to be most vulnerable to damage. This damaged skin has cancerous growths that then spread throughout the body.
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