Types of Melanoma - Skin Cancer

Melanoma is the least common but most dangerous and serious type of skin cancer. It can develop anywhere on the body. Most melanomas develop in your skin. But it can also form in the eye and in rare cases in internal organs such as intestine. The skin is the body's largest organ which protects us against sunlight, injury, and infection. It helps regulate body temperature, stores water and fat, and produces vitamin D. Skin is divided into two main layers namely, epidermis and dermis. Epidermis is the layer nearest the surface of the skin and is mostly made up of flat, scalelike cells called squamous cells. Round cells called basal cells lie under the squamous cells in the epidermis. The lower part of the epidermis also contains melanocytes. Dermis is the layer underneath epidermis and itcontains blood vessels, lymph vessels, hair follicles and glands.

Malignant melanoma develops in cells known as melanocytes. These cells, which produce a pigment called melanin, lie in the lower part of the epidermis. Melanin gives skin its natural color. Moles are groups of melanocytes that lie close together. They are usually tan, brown or flesh-colored.

Melanoma affects people of all ages but the chance of developing it increases with age. It occurs when melanocytes become malignant (cancerous). When melanoma starts in the skin, it is called cutaneous melanoma and when it occur in eye, the disease is called ocular melanoma or intraocular melanoma. In men, melanoma is found most often on the area between the shoulders and hips or on the head and neck. In women, melanoma often develops on the lower legs. It may also appear under the fingernails or toenails or on the palms or soles. It rarely appears in the conjunctiva, choroid, pharynx, mouth, vagina or anus.

Types of Melanoma - Skin Cancer

The four types of melanomas are Superficial spreading melanoma (SSM), Nodular melanoma (NM), Acral-lentiginous melanoma (ALM) and Lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM)


Superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) - It is the most common type of melanoma. An SSM usually first appears as a flat or slightly raised mark. It has a red, white and blue colour over a brown or black background and an irregular, notched margin. Initially, an SSM spreads through the epidermis. If not caught and treated at this stage, it eventually begins to grow into the dermis and may then spread to other parts of your body. SSM is commonly found on the trunk, upper arms, and thighs.

Nodular melanoma (NM) -This type of melanoma is flesh coloured with flecks of pigment around its base. NM usually appears as a small, round bump (nodule) with a smooth border. Most NMs are black, although some may be brown, blue, gray or even red in color. It can occur on any skin surface but is found more commonly on the trunk, upper arms, and thighs. NM spreads so rapidly, it is often quite advanced by the time it's diagnosed.

Acral-lentiginous melanoma (ALM) - ALM usually develops on the palms, soles or nails and is most common in dark-skinned races. It is normally brown or black with irregular borders. Because ALM is often mistaken for a minor problem, such as a bruise or blister, it may have penetrated deep into the underlying layers of skin before it's diagnosed.

Lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM). It is relatively rare and the lesions looks like a large flat freckle of tan, brown, black, whitish or slate colour and has irregularly scattered black nodules on the surface. LMM commonly develops under the fingernails, on the face and on the back of the hands. Generally they do not spread to other parts of the body. It may remain flat and confined to the epidermis for months to many years, but at some point will penetrate into the deeper levels of skin, increasing the potential for metastases.

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