---
description: Get the facts about melanoma and learn more about malignant melanoma types and how to spot a cancerous mole.
title: Melanoma
image: https://www.skincancer.org/wp-content/uploads/melanomaoverview.jpg
---

[Home](https://www.skincancer.org/) › [Skin Cancer Information](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/) › Melanoma

Translation:   [![]()](https://www.skincancer.org/international/labcde-du-melanome/)  [![]()](https://www.skincancer.org/international/melanom/)  [![]()](https://www.skincancer.org/international/gli-abcde-del-melanoma/)

[En Espanol](https://www.skincancer.org/international/es-melanoma)

# Melanoma Overview

## A Dangerous Skin Cancer

Malignant melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that begins in cells known as [melanocytes](#what). Get the facts about melanoma:

- While it is less common than [basal cell carcinoma](http://skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/basal-cell-carcinoma/) (BCC) and [squamous cell carcinoma](http://skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/squamous-cell-carcinoma/) (SCC), melanoma skin cancer is more dangerous because of its ability to spread to other organs more rapidly if it is not treated at an early stage.
- When melanoma is detected and treated early, the estimated five-year survival rate is 99 percent.

Learn more about melanoma  [types](#four), [risk factors](http://skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/melanoma-causes-and-risk-factors/), causes, [warning signs](http://skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/melanoma-warning-signs-and-images/) and [treatment](http://skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/melanoma-treatments/).

##### Melanoma Fact

Only 20-30% of melanomas are found in existing moles.  
![]()

While 70-80% arise on normal-looking skin.  
![]()

- [What is a melanocyte?](#what)
- [What does melanoma look like?](#look)
- [How dangerous is it?](#dangerous)
- [How widespread is it?](#widespread)
- [What are the four main types of malignant melanoma?](#four)
- [More skin cancer pictures](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-pictures/)
- [Pediatric melanoma](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/when-a-child-gets-skin-cancer/)
- [Melanoma during pregnancy](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/coping-with-advanced-melanoma-during-pregnancy/)
- [Newly diagnosed with skin cancer](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/newly-diagnosed-with-skin-cancer/)

[Risk Factors](http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/melanoma-causes-and-risk-factors/ "melanoma risk factors")

[Warning Signs](http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/melanoma-warning-signs-and-images/ "melanoma warning signs")

[Stages](http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/the-stages-of-melanoma/ "melanoma stages")

[Treatment](http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/melanoma-treatments/ "melanoma treatment")

### What is a melanocyte?

Melanocytes are skin cells found in the upper layer of skin. They produce a pigment known as melanin, which gives skin its color. There are two types of melanin: eumelanin and pheomelanin. When skin is exposed to [ultraviolet (UV) radiation](http://skincancer.org/risk-factors/uv-radiation/) from the sun or tanning beds, it causes skin damage that triggers the melanocytes to produce more melanin, but only the eumelanin pigment attempts to protect the skin by causing the skin to darken or tan. Melanoma occurs when DNA damage from sunburns or tanning due to UV radiation triggers changes (mutations) in the melanocytes, resulting in uncontrolled cellular growth.

About Melanin

Naturally darker-skinned people have more eumelanin and naturally light-skinned people have more pheomelanin. While eumelanin has the ability to protect the skin from sun damage, pheomelanin does not. That’s why [people with darker skin](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-skin-of-color/) are at lower risk for developing skin cancer than light-skinned people who, due to lack of eumelanin, are more susceptible to sun damage, burning and skin cancer. But, skin cancer can happen to anyone, regardless of skin tone.

### What does melanoma look like?

Melanomas present in many different shapes, sizes and colors. That’s why it’s tricky to provide a comprehensive set of warning signs. Since detecting it early is so vital, please learn the common signs, symptoms and early detection strategies on our  [Warning Signs](http://skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/melanoma-warning-signs-and-images/) page. View more images on our [Skin Cancer Pictures](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-pictures/#melanoma) page.

### How dangerous is melanoma?

Melanoma is usually curable when detected and treated early. Once it has spread deeper into the skin or other parts of the body, it becomes more difficult to treat and can be deadly.

- The estimated five-year survival rate for U.S. patients whose melanoma is detected early is about 99 percent.
- An [estimated 8,510 people](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/#melanoma) (5,500 men and 3,010 women) will die of melanoma in the U.S. in 2026.

### How widespread is melanoma?

- An estimated [234,680 cases of melanoma](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts#melanoma) will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2026.
- 122,680 cases will be in situ (noninvasive), confined to the epidermis (the top layer of skin), and 112,000 cases will be invasive, penetrating the epidermis into the skin’s second layer (the dermis).
- Of the invasive cases, 65,400 will occur in men and 46,600 will occur in women.

### What are the four main types of melanoma of the skin?

#### Superficial spreading melanoma

**What you should know:** This is the most common type of melanoma.

**How and where it grows:** It can arise in an existing mole or appear as a new lesion. When it begins in a mole that is already on the skin, it tends to grow on the surface of the skin for some time before penetrating more deeply. While it can be found nearly anywhere on the body, it is most likely to appear on the torso in men, the legs in women and the upper back in both.

**What it looks like:**  It may appear as a flat or slightly raised and discolored, asymmetrical patch with uneven borders. Colors include shades of tan, brown, black, red/pink, blue or white. It can also lack pigment and appear as a pink or skin-tone lesion ([amelanotic](http://skincancer.org/blog/amelanotic-melanoma-it-doesnt-look-like-other-melanomas/)).

#### Lentigo maligna

**What you should know:** This type often develops in older people. When this cancer becomes invasive or spreads beyond the original site, the disease is known as lentigo maligna melanoma.

**How and where it grows:** This is similar to the superficial spreading type, growing close to the skin surface at first. The tumor typically arises on sun-damaged skin on the face, ears, arms or upper torso.

**What it looks like:**  It may look like a flat or slightly raised, blotchy patch with uneven borders. Color is usually blue-black, but can vary from tan to brown or dark brown.

#### Acral lentiginous melanoma

**What you should know:** This is the most common type of melanoma found in [people of colo](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-skin-of-color/)r, including individuals of African ancestry.

**How and where it grows:** It often appears in hard-to-spot places including under the nails ([subungual](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/looking-for-clues-the-lesser-known-signs-of-skin-cancer/)) and on the soles of the feet or palms of the hands.

**What it looks like:**  It may appear as a black or brown area on the skin.

Musician [Bob Marley](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/bob-marley-should-not-have-died-from-melanoma/) was diagnosed with acral lentiginous melanoma, which ultimately claimed his life at age 36. When a dark spot appeared under his toenail, Marley attributed it to a soccer injury. Eventually he was diagnosed with the disease but refused the recommended treatment, surgical removal of the toe. His melanoma spread to other areas of his body and tragically cut his life short.

#### Nodular melanoma

**What you should know:** This is the most aggressive type of melanoma. It accounts for 10 to 15 percent of all cases.

**How and where it grows:** The tumor grows deeper into the skin more rapidly than other types and is most frequently found on the torso, legs and arms, as well as the scalp in older men. It is usually invasive at the time it is first diagnosed.

**What it looks like:**  This type is often recognized as a bump on the skin, usually blue-black in color, but not uncommonly can also appear as a pink to red bump.

***Reviewed by:**  
 Allan C. Halpern, MD*  
*Ashfaq A. Marghoob, MD*  
*Ofer Reiter, MD *

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This section made possible through an education grant from

 

  
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## Sun & Skin News

[Melissa’s Battle Against Chronic Skin Cancer: “It Keeps Coming Back.”](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/melissas-battle-against-chronic-skin-cancer-it-keeps-coming-back/)![Since 2010, when she was diagnosed with Stage I melanoma, Melissa Garrett has been fighting a grueling battle against chronic skin cancer, including a second melanoma in 2021, and so many basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) that she has lost track.]()

[Skin of Color](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/skin-of-color/)

[This Is Skin Cancer](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/true-stories/)

### [Melissa’s Battle Against Chronic Skin Cancer: “It Keeps Coming Back.”](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/melissas-battle-against-chronic-skin-cancer-it-keeps-coming-back/)

[Celebrities and Skin Cancer – They’re Just Like Us](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/celebrities-skin-cancer/)![Hollywood sign]()

[This Is Skin Cancer](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/true-stories/)

### [Celebrities and Skin Cancer – They’re Just Like Us](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/celebrities-skin-cancer/)

[From Beauty Mark to Melanoma](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/from-beauty-mark-to-melanoma/)![Chrissy receiving immunotherapy for skin cancer during pandemic]()

[Skin Cancer Information](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/skin-cancer-information/)

[This Is Skin Cancer](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/true-stories/)

### [From Beauty Mark to Melanoma](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/from-beauty-mark-to-melanoma/)

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Last updated: September 2026

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