Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. It usually begins in the melanocytes or pigment-producing cells.
Melanoma usually develops in cells or body parts that have an increased exposure to the sun. For instance melanoma usually starts in the back for men, in the legs for women. In rare cases however, melanoma can also develop in other body parts and tissues, like the eyes or mouth.
While it can happen to anyone at any age, melanoma usually develops in people aged 50 years old and above. Recently however, melanoma has been occurring more commonly among teenagers and young adults.
Melanoma can develop from moles or other skin growths that have become malignant. However, most cases of Melanoma come from new growths. Melanoma will usually only affect the first layer of the skin or the epidermis. If it grows and becomes thicker, meaning, it spreads down to other layers, it can spread to other organs of the body.
Types of melanoma: Causes
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