Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer.i Melanoma skin cancer starts in the melanocytes (the cells that give the skin its tan or brown color).ii It is the fifth most common cancer in men and women.iii
Though melanoma skin cancer is much less common (1%) than some other types of skin cancers, it causes the vast majority of skin cancer deaths.iv It is considered more dangerous because it’s much more likely to invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body if not caught and treated early. The most common skin cancer types—squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma—rarely spread to other parts of the body.ii,v
Early diagnosis is key. Melanoma can often be found early. This is when it is most likely to be cured.vi
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops when melanocytes (the cells that give the skin its tan or brown color) start to grow out of control.ii
Melanoma skin cancer can develop anywhere on the skin surface, including areas that receive little or no sun exposure, such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, nailbeds, scalp and genitals.ii,vii In men, it is often found on the trunk (the area from the shoulders to the hips) or the head and neck. In women, it often forms on the arms and legs.v
Melanoma skin cancer happens when normal cells in the skin change into abnormal cells and grow out of control. The exact cause as to why this happens is unknown. There are several risk factors, however, that can make a person more likely to develop melanoma, including:viii
The first melanoma signs and symptoms often include a new mole or pigmented (colored) area on the skin or a change in the way a mole or pigmented area looks or feels.v,ix
The ABCDE rule is one guide to the usual signs of melanoma.vii
A—Asymmetry: Does one half of the mole or spot look different than the other half?
B—Border: Is the border irregular, blurred or jagged?
C—Color: Is the color uneven?
D—Diameter: Is the mole larger than a pea?
E—Evolving: Has the mole changed its size, color or shape during the past few weeks or months?
Another important sign is a spot that looks different from all of the other spots on your skin, known as the ugly duckling sign.vii
Some melanomas don’t fit these rules.vii It can also appear as a new mole.i Skin affected by melanoma can also bleed or become swollen, red, or crusty.vi
Other warning signs include:ix
A physical exam of the skin is usually conducted. If melanoma is suspected, a follow-up test called a biopsy is typically done. During a biopsy, a doctor will usually remove the whole abnormal area. In some cases, the doctor might instead take a small sample of skin from the abnormal area. The sample is usually sent to a laboratory for examination under a microscope.v
Melanoma is treated in one or more of the following ways:x