Melanoma skin cancer
What is melanoma skin cancer?
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. It develops in skin cells called melanocytes. These cells produce melanin, which is the pigment that gives your skin, eyes, and hair their color. Although melanoma is the rarest type of skin cancer, it’s also the most dangerous because it can spread quickly.
At Penn Medicine, we’re a national leader in cancer care. Our status is reflected in our continuous designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. This means you’re in expert hands with our nationally recognized specialists. Our team offers advanced melanoma skin cancer care and access to treatment options based on the latest research.
Types of melanoma skin cancer
Melanoma can develop in different ways, depending on where it starts and how it grows.
- Superficial spreading melanoma: This is the most common type. These cancerous moles typically occur on sun-exposed skin and begin as a flat, irregularly black, blue, or pink area that slowly spreads outward.
- Nodular melanoma: Characterized by a rapidly growing, dome-shaped nodule, this type may be black, blue, or red. It tends to grow down into the skin and can be more aggressive than other types.
- Lentigo maligna melanoma: This type usually develops on sun-damaged skin, like the face, ears, or arms, often in older adults. It starts as a flat tan or brown patch that grows slowly over time.
- Acral lentiginous melanoma: This rare type develops on hairless skin, like the palms, soles, or under the nails. It often appears as a dark spot or streak and is more common in people with darker skin tones.
- Desmoplastic melanoma: Often found in the head and neck area, this type can develop anywhere and may look similar to normal skin.
- Amelanotic melanoma: This type lacks pigment, so it may appear pink, red, or skin-colored. It can be harder to recognize because it doesn’t look like a typical dark mole.
Our team also diagnoses and treats common skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Other, rarer types we treat include:
- Apocrine carcinoma: Cancer that develops in a sweat gland
- Cutaneous leiomyosarcoma: Cancer that grows in the middle layer of skin (the dermis) or deepest (subcutaneous) layer
- Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: Cancer that forms in connective tissue cells in the dermis
- Merkel cell carcinoma: Cancer that develops near nerve endings in the top layer of skin (the epidermis)
- Microcystic adnexal carcinoma: Cancer that tends to grow in sweat glands in the head or neck
- Sebaceous carcinoma: Cancer that begins in oil glands in the skin
What melanoma can look like
Melanoma often starts as a new spot or a change in an existing mole. Knowing what to look for can help you find it early, when treatment works best. Many melanomas are first noticed during a skin self-check or by someone close to you. If you notice any changes in your skin, it’s important to have it checked by a provider.
The ABCDE system can help you recognize possible signs of melanoma:
- Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn’t match the other.
- Borders: The lesion’s edges are irregular, ragged, or notched.
- Color: The spot has uneven color or multiple shades, like brown, black, pink, red, white, or blue.
- Diameter: The spot is larger than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser) though it can be smaller.
- Evolution: Moles that change in size, color, shape, color, or symptoms like itching or bleeding.
How we diagnose skin cancer
Our melanoma specialists examine you for moles and other suspicious spots in a thorough evaluation with a whole-body skin exam. If we find a concerning area, we’ll take a small tissue sample. You may need other tests, including imaging, to confirm a melanoma diagnosis.
Care plans for melanoma
Your care team works together to tailor your treatment plan, which may include more than one treatment. Surgery is often the first treatment for melanoma, especially in its early stages. Our team works with surgeons in the Penn Dermatology Oncology Center to coordinate your care.
A team approach to melanoma care
At Penn Medicine, you’ll receive care from a team focused on melanoma and other skin cancers. Dermatologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, and other specialists work together to create a treatment plan based on your specific needs. This team-based approach supports better results for you. It also gives you access to advanced treatments, surgical techniques, and clinical trials that may not be available elsewhere.
Rated “exceptional” by The National Cancer Institute
Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center is a world leader in cancer research, patient care, and education. Our status as a national leader in cancer care is reflected in our continuous designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) since 1973, one of 7 such centers in the United States. The ACC is also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, one of a select few cancer centers in the U.S., that are working to promote equitable access to high-quality, advanced cancer care.
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