Melanoma is typically one of the most severe types of skin cancer. It develops in melanocytes, which are the cells that produce melanin. Melanin is the pigment, which gives the skin its hue. Melanoma can develop in the eyes, too. At times, melanoma develops inside the body in areas like your throat or nose. There are multiple different types of melanoma. Let us take a look at them one by one.

• Superficial spreading melanoma
  It is the most prevalent type of melanoma, and approximately 70% of all melanoma cases are of this type. In this case, the melanoma might grow for years onto the outermost layer of the skin. These melanomas will have irregular borders and are usually elevated. Further, they will have pink or black edges. Typically, they appear on men’s backs and women’s legs. It is more prevalent skin cancer between the ages of 30 to 50 years. However, melanoma might appear in other areas and other age groups too.

• Nodular melanoma
  The second most common melanoma is the nodular melanoma and accounts for about 15% of all melanoma cases. It usually appears on the neck, head, or trunk. Unfortunately, it is an aggressive type of skin cancer and grows more rapidly than other kinds. These will be blue-black or red. If the superficial melanoma is left untreated, it can become invasive and nodular.

• Lentigo maligna melanoma
  It is a less common category of melanoma and is seen mostly in older adults. Such melanomas will occur in the body areas which have been most exposed to the sun, like the face, neck, and legs. This melanoma’s early warning sign is lentigo maligna or Hutchinson’s freckle, which appears as a stain on your skin. They are irregularly shaped and large. It has slower growth and is not as dangerous as the other melanoma types. Age is the most prevalent risk factor of this melanoma.

• Acral lentiginous melanoma
  It is one of the rarest forms of melanoma and appears on the feet’ soles, palms of the hands, or beneath the nails. Typically, people with darker skin tend to get this type of melanoma. In Africans-Americans, approximately 70% of people with melanoma suffer from this type. Whereas, in Asia, 46% of melanoma cases are of this type.

• Amelanotic and desmoplastic melanomas
  These are the two rare and similar types of melanoma , which are often very difficult to diagnose. Unfortunately, they are aggressive and are not noticeable because of their lack of pigment. Desmoplastic melanoma might appear in older patients on the neck and the head.
• Ocular melanoma
  This is the melanoma that grows in the melanocytes that are responsible for the color of our eyes. Only 3% of all melanoma cases are of this type. However, over 2,000 cases of this melanoma are diagnosed every year.