Skin Cancer - melanoma

What Is Melanoma?

Melanoma is a type of cancer that begins in the melanocytes. Melanocytes are skin cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color.

Melanocytes commonly cluster together to form skin growths called moles. Moles may be flat or raised, large or small, light or dark, and can appear anywhere on our bodies. Most people have several moles and they usually don't cause any problems.

Sometimes, though, melanocytes can malfunction (such as being exposed to UV rays). Because of a genetic change, they can begin growing out of control, sticking together to form lesions or tumors, crowding out healthy cells, and damaging surrounding tissue. This condition is known as cancer.