Unlike Other Cancers, Most Melanomas Can Often Be Seen on the Skin, Making It Easier to Detect In Its Early Stages.

Melanoma is a type of cancer, most often of the skin. It occurs in melanocytes – the cells that produce the pigment melanin that color the skin, hair and eyes. These cells also make moles, or nevi. Unlike other cancers, most cutaneous melanomas can be seen on the skin, making it easier to detect in its early stages. If undetected, however, melanoma may spread to distant sites or organs. This is referred to as metastatic melanoma.

Melanoma can occur on the skin, as well as in places that don’t see the sun – like the soles of the feet, palms of the hands, inside the mouth, and in the eye.