{"id":180,"date":"2018-07-23T20:35:34","date_gmt":"2018-07-23T20:35:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/scfredesignpro.wpengine.com\/?page_id=180"},"modified":"2025-04-22T14:39:26","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T14:39:26","slug":"melanoma","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/melanoma\/","title":{"rendered":"Melanoma"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;small translation&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\">Translation:\u00a0\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/international\/labcde-du-melanome\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2507\" src=\"\/\/skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/france-flag-icon-16.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"16\" height=\"11\" \/><\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/international\/melanom\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2508 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/germany-flag-icon-16.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"16\" height=\"10\" \/><\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/international\/gli-abcde-del-melanoma\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2509 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/italy-flag-icon-16.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"16\" height=\"11\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/international\/es-melanoma\">En Espanol<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\">Melanoma\u00a0<span style=\"color: rgba(50,63,74,0.65);\">Overview<\/span><\/h1>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-10&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;A Dangerous Skin Cancer&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|text_align:center&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;9\/12&#8243;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;large&#8221;]Malignant melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that begins in cells known as <a href=\"#what\">melanocytes<\/a>. While it is less common than <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/basal-cell-carcinoma\/\">basal cell carcinoma<\/a> (BCC) and <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/squamous-cell-carcinoma\/\">squamous cell carcinoma<\/a> (SCC), this 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.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more about melanoma\u00a0<a href=\"#four\">types<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/melanoma\/melanoma-causes-and-risk-factors\/\">risk factors<\/a>, causes, <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/melanoma\/melanoma-warning-signs-and-images\/\">warning signs<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/melanoma\/melanoma-treatments\/\">treatment<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner el_class=&#8221;stat&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1559245433367{padding-right: 2em !important;padding-left: 4em !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h5>Melanoma Fact<\/h5>\n<p>Only 20-30% of melanomas are found in existing moles.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2075\" src=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/20-percent.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"353\" height=\"5\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/20-percent.png 353w, https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/20-percent-340x5.png 340w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 353px) 100vw, 353px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>While 70-80% arise on normal-looking skin.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2076\" src=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/70-percent.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"353\" height=\"5\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/70-percent.png 353w, https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/70-percent-340x5.png 340w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 353px) 100vw, 353px\" \/>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;page-nav&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#what\">What is a melanocyte?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#look\">What does melanoma look like?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#dangerous\">How dangerous is it?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#widespread\">How widespread is it?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#four\">What are the four main types of malignant melanoma?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/skin-cancer-pictures\/\">More skin cancer pictures<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/blog\/when-a-child-gets-skin-cancer\/\">Pediatric melanoma<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/blog\/coping-with-advanced-melanoma-during-pregnancy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Melanoma during pregnancy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/newly-diagnosed-with-skin-cancer\/\">Newly diagnosed with skin cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;middle&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1532456871168{background-color: #323f4a !important;}&#8221;][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243; el_class=&#8221;subpage-nav&#8221;][vc_btn title=&#8221;Risk Factors&#8221; style=&#8221;custom&#8221; custom_background=&#8221;#323f4a&#8221; custom_text=&#8221;#ffcc42&#8243; shape=&#8221;square&#8221; size=&#8221;lg&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; i_align=&#8221;right&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fa fa-arrow-right&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skincancer.org%2Fskin-cancer-information%2Fmelanoma%2Fmelanoma-causes-and-risk-factors%2F|title:melanoma%20risk%20factors||&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243; el_class=&#8221;subpage-nav&#8221;][vc_btn title=&#8221;Warning Signs&#8221; style=&#8221;custom&#8221; custom_background=&#8221;#323f4a&#8221; custom_text=&#8221;#ffcc42&#8243; shape=&#8221;square&#8221; size=&#8221;lg&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; i_align=&#8221;right&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fa fa-arrow-right&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skincancer.org%2Fskin-cancer-information%2Fmelanoma%2Fmelanoma-warning-signs-and-images%2F|title:melanoma%20warning%20signs||&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243; el_class=&#8221;subpage-nav&#8221;][vc_btn title=&#8221;Stages&#8221; style=&#8221;custom&#8221; custom_background=&#8221;#323f4a&#8221; custom_text=&#8221;#ffcc42&#8243; shape=&#8221;square&#8221; size=&#8221;lg&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; i_align=&#8221;right&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fa fa-arrow-right&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skincancer.org%2Fskin-cancer-information%2Fmelanoma%2Fthe-stages-of-melanoma%2F|title:melanoma%20stages||&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243; el_class=&#8221;subpage-nav&#8221;][vc_btn title=&#8221;Treatment&#8221; style=&#8221;custom&#8221; custom_background=&#8221;#323f4a&#8221; custom_text=&#8221;#ffcc42&#8243; shape=&#8221;square&#8221; size=&#8221;lg&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; i_align=&#8221;right&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fa fa-arrow-right&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skincancer.org%2Fskin-cancer-information%2Fmelanoma%2Fmelanoma-treatments%2F|title:melanoma%20treatment||&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section el_id=&#8221;what&#8221;][vc_row el_class=&#8221;content-block&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;What is a melanocyte?&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]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 <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/risk-factors\/uv-radiation\/\">ultraviolet (UV) radiation<\/a> 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.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;callout&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">About Melanin<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Naturally darker-skinned people have more eumelanin and naturally fair-skinned people have more pheomelanin. While eumelanin has the ability to protect the skin from sun damage, pheomelanin does not. That\u2019s why <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/skin-cancer-skin-of-color\/\">people with darker skin<\/a> are at lower risk for developing skin cancer than fair-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.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;content-block&#8221; el_id=&#8221;look&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;What does melanoma look like?&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]Melanomas present in many different shapes, sizes and colors. That\u2019s why it\u2019s 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\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/melanoma\/melanoma-warning-signs-and-images\/\">Warning Signs<\/a> page. View more images on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/skin-cancer-pictures\/#melanoma\">Skin Cancer Pictures<\/a> page.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;content-block&#8221; el_id=&#8221;dangerous&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;How dangerous is melanoma?&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]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.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The estimated five-year survival rate for U.S. patients whose melanoma is detected early is about 99 percent.<\/li>\n<li>An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/skin-cancer-facts\/#melanoma\">estimated 8,430 people<\/a> (5,470 men and 2,960 women) will die of melanoma in the U.S. in 2025.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;content-block&#8221; el_id=&#8221;widespread&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;How widespread is melanoma?&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div>An estimated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/skin-cancer-facts#melanoma\">212,200 cases of melanoma<\/a> will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2025.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>107,240 cases will be in situ (noninvasive), confined to the epidermis (the top layer of skin), and 104,960 cases will be invasive, penetrating the epidermis into the skin\u2019s second layer (the dermis).<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div>Of the invasive cases, 60,550 will occur in men and 44,410 will occur in women.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;content-block&#8221; el_id=&#8221;four&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;What are the four main types of melanoma of the skin?&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h4>Superficial spreading melanoma<\/h4>\n<p><strong>What you should know:<\/strong> This is the most common type of melanoma.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How and where it grows:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What it looks like:<\/strong>\u00a0 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 (<a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/blog\/amelanotic-melanoma-it-doesnt-look-like-other-melanomas\/\">amelanotic<\/a>).<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Lentigo maligna<\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>What you should know: <\/b>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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>How and where it grows:<\/b> 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>What it looks like:<\/b><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>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.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Acral lentiginous melanoma<\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>What you should know: <\/b>This is the most common type of melanoma found in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/skin-cancer-skin-of-color\/\">people of colo<\/a>r, including individuals of African ancestry.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>How and where it grows:<\/b> It often appears in hard-to-spot places including under the nails (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/blog\/looking-for-clues-the-lesser-known-signs-of-skin-cancer\/\">subungual<\/a>) and on the soles of the feet or palms of the hands.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>What it looks like:<\/b><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>It may appear as a black or brown area on the skin.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;callout&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Musician <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/blog\/bob-marley-should-not-have-died-from-melanoma\/\">Bob Marley<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1559245228037{margin-top: 2em !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Nodular melanoma<\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>What you should know: <\/b>This is the most aggressive type of melanoma. It accounts for 10 to 15 percent of all cases.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>How and where it grows:<\/b> 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>What it looks like:<\/b><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 This type<\/span>\u00a0is 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.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<em><strong>Reviewed by:<\/strong><br \/>\nAllan C. Halpern, MD<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Ashfaq A. Marghoob, MD<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Ofer Reiter, MD\u00a0<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h5 class=\"newsletter-callout\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/newsletter\/\">Sign up to receive our newsletter<\/a><\/h5>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;spons-row&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">This section made possible through an education grant from<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; justify-content: center; flex-direction: row;\">\n<p><a class=\"sponsor-logo\" href=\"https:\/\/castlebiosciences.com\/melanomatest\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6851 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/CastleLogoColor_Transparent.png\" alt=\"Castle Biosciences Logo\" width=\"2142\" height=\"629\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/CastleLogoColor_Transparent.png 2142w, https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/CastleLogoColor_Transparent-600x176.png 600w, https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/CastleLogoColor_Transparent-1024x301.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/CastleLogoColor_Transparent-768x226.png 768w, https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/CastleLogoColor_Transparent-1536x451.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/CastleLogoColor_Transparent-2048x601.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2142px) 100vw, 2142px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"sponsor-logo\"><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-8852\" src=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/02852_Merck_Logo_Horizontal_TealGrey_CMYK-3.jpg\" alt=\"merck logo\" width=\"577\" height=\"178\" \/><br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;spons-row&#8221;][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; el_class=&#8221;news&#8221;][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"sunskinnews\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Sun &amp; Skin News<\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_basic_grid post_type=&#8221;post&#8221; max_items=&#8221;3&#8243; item=&#8221;326&#8243; initial_loading_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; grid_id=&#8221;vc_gid:1745332402617-bd61ffbb-bae4-0&#8243; taxonomies=&#8221;9&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1562772272485{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}&#8221;][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243; offset=&#8221;vc_col-sm-offset-4&#8243;][vc_cta h2=&#8221;SHARE YOUR STORY&#8221; h2_font_container=&#8221;color:%23ffcc42&#8243; h2_use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; txt_align=&#8221;center&#8221; shape=&#8221;square&#8221; style=&#8221;flat&#8221; color=&#8221;white&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;bottom&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fas fa-arrow-right&#8221; i_color=&#8221;black&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1582841881461{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 33px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}&#8221; use_custom_fonts_h2=&#8221;true&#8221; i_link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.skincancer.org%2Fget-involved%2Fshare-your-story%2F|||&#8221; el_class=&#8221;story&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Want to spread the word about skin cancer awareness? Complete the form and you may end up on our website.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_cta][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;small translation&#8221;] Translation:\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 En Espanol [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text] Melanoma\u00a0Overview [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-10&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;A Dangerous Skin Cancer&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|text_align:center&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;9\/12&#8243;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;large&#8221;]Malignant [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4217,"parent":8,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-180","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.3 (Yoast SEO v25.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Melanoma - The Skin Cancer Foundation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Get the facts about melanoma and learn more about malignant melanoma types and how to spot a cancerous mole.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/melanoma\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Melanoma\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Get the facts about melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer, and learn more about melanoma types, risk factors, warning signs and treatment.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/melanoma\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Skin Cancer Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/skincancerfoundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-04-22T14:39:26+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/melanomaoverview.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1008\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Get the facts about melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer. 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