Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It is the leading cause of death from skin disease.

It involves cells called melanocytes, which produce a skin pigment called melanin. Melanin is responsible for skin and hair color.

Melanoma can also involve the colored part of the eye. For information about that form of melanoma, see melanoma of the eye.

See also:

• Basal cell skin cancer
• Skin cancer
• Squamous cell skin cancer

Skin cancer - melanoma

Images

Skin cancer, close-up of level III melanoma

Melanoma - neck

Skin cancer, close-up of level IV melanoma

Benign juvenile melanoma

Skin cancer, raised multi-color melanoma

Skin cancer, melanoma on the fingernail

Melanoma of the liver - MRI scan

Skin cancer, melanoma - flat, brown lesion

Skin cancer, close-up of lentigo maligna melanoma

Skin cancer, melanoma - raised, dark lesion

Skin cancer, malignant melanoma

Skin cancer, melanoma superficial spreading

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Melanoma Symptoms

Review Date: 08/12/2009
Reviewed By: Jonathan Kantor, MD, North Florida Dermatology Associates, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)