Melanoma skin cancers

Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the melanocytes. Other names for this cancer include malignant melanoma andcutaneous melanoma. Because most melanoma cells still produce melanin, melanoma tumors are usually brown or black. But this is not always true, as some melanomas can be non-pigmented and appear pink, tan, or even white.

Melanomas can occur anywhere on the skin, but are more likely to start in certain locations. The trunk (chest and back) is the most common site in men. The legs are the most commonly affected site in women. The neck and face are other common sites.

Having darkly pigmented skin lowers your risk of melanoma at these more common sites, but anyone can develop this cancer on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and under the nails. Melanomas in these areas account for more than half of all melanomas in African Americans but fewer than 10% of melanomas in whites.

Melanomas can also form in other parts of your body such as the eyes, mouth, and vagina, but these are much less common than melanoma of the skin. Melanomas in these organs are discussed in our other documents.

Melanoma is much less common than basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers, but it is far more dangerous. Like basal cell and squamous cell cancers, melanoma is almost always curable in its early stages. But it is much more likely than basal or squamous cell cancer to spread to other parts of the body if not caught early.