Melanoma

Melanoma - Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin and give color to the skin, hair and eyes). Melanoma can begin in a mole on the skin (skin or cutaneous melanoma), and in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye (ocular melanoma) or intestines (mucosal melanoma). Skin melanomas fall into four basic categories, based on appearance and skin penetration. It most often appears on the trunk of men and on the lower legs of women. Common risk factors for melanoma may include sun exposure, unusual moles, white or light-colored skin and freckles, and genetic predisposition.

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