Malignant melanoma

What is malignant melanoma?

Malignant melanoma is skin cancer. It’s more common in women than men, and your risk also increases as you get older. It develops from cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes make melanin, which gives skin its colour. Melanin also protects us from ultraviolet (UV) radiation which causes sunburn.

The most common type of melanoma is superficial spreading melanoma. When it starts, it spreads across the skin – not down into the lower layers. It is easier to treat if it’s caught early.

Other types include:

• Nodular melanoma – this develops faster and grows downwards into lower layers of skin if it’s not treated. It usually starts as a new lump on the surface. It can bleed or ooze
• Lentigo maligna melanoma – usually affects older people who have spent a lot of time outside in the past. It grows slowly over many years. It can form lumps later on
• Acral lentiginous melanoma – this cancer is rare and usually develops on the palms and soles of darker skinned people
• Amelanotic melanoma – another rare type. It can sometimes have no colour at all or be very pale

Most people are over 65 when it’s discovered, but it can also affect younger people. Melanoma can also spread to other areas in the body (metastasise).

What causes malignant melanoma?

The leading cause is UV radiation from being in the sun or using sunbeds. Other reasons include:

• A family history of melanoma
• A rare type of birthmark known as giant congenital melanocytic naevus
• Exposing your skin to intense periods in the sun – for example, during a holiday
• Having fair skin with fair or reddish hair so you burn easily
• Having had melanoma or other cancer in the past – especially breast cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, leukaemia, some childhood cancers
• Having reduced immunity
• HIV
• Moles – the more moles, the higher the risk
• Other medical conditions such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and sarcoidosis