Melonama Picture

Malignant melanoma is a type of cancer arising from the melanocyte cells of the skin. Melanocytes are cells in the skin that produce a pigment called melanin. Malignant melanoma develops when the melanocytes no longer respond to normal control mechanisms of cellular growth. They may then invade nearby structures or spread to other organs in the body (metastasis), where again they invade and compromise the function of that organ..

Basal cell carcinoma

This most common form of skin cancer accounts for 75 percent to 80 percent of skin cancer cases. Basal cell carcinoma forms in the deepest layer (basal cell layer) of the epidermis and grows very slowly, usually on chronically sun-exposed areas of skin, such as the nose, cheeks, neck and forearms.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Sixteen percent to 20 percent of skin cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which arise in higher levels of the epidermis. Like basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell cancers typically appear on sun-exposed areas: the face, ears, neck, lips or back of the hands. Squamous cell carcinomas also can grow within scars or skin ulcers.

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