Melanoma Types

April 2, 2026

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Gaurav Singh, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.M.S., Mohs Micrographic Surgeon and Dermatologist, City of Hope^® Cancer Center Chicago.

Melanoma is the term for any type of cancer that begins when cells in the body called melanocytes begin to grow abnormally. Melanocytes are cells that produce melanin, the substance that determines the color of a person’s skin, hair and eyes.

Every patient’s melanoma diagnosis is unique and the cancer care team will explain what type of melanoma he or she has when diagnosed with the condition.

The most common place people develop melanoma is the skin. This is because every square millimeter of skin contains thousands of melanocytes. However, melanoma may also affect other areas of the body, including the eyes and the tissues lining some of the body’s internal organs.

Cutaneous melanoma is another term for melanoma of the skin. It’s the most common kind of melanoma and the fifth-most common type of cancer among Americans. Cutaneous melanoma is an aggressive type of skin cancer that may spread to other parts of the body if not found early. Signs of melanoma can include a new or changing growth. Skin checks are recommended annually by a board-certified dermatologist. Self skin checks performed once per month can also be effective in catching changing or new spots early. The “ABCDEs” of melanoma include signs to observe: asymmetry, borders (irregular), color (dark or black), diameter (greater than the back of a pencil eraser), and evolution or change.

There are several subtypes of cutaneous melanoma, as listed below.

Acral lentiginous melanoma: This is a very aggressive form of melanoma that is more common among Black people and those with darker skin. It often begins on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet or the nail beds.

Amelanotic melanoma: This is a rare form of the disease. It may be harder to detect, because it does not cause changes in the color or pigmentation of a patient’s skin.

Desmoplastic melanoma: This accounts for less than 2% of all melanoma diagnoses and tends to develop in older patients. In most cases, desmoplastic melanoma is found on the head or neck. About half of all cases are also amelanotic melanomas, making them harder to see.

Lentigo maligna melanoma: This is a type of melanoma that develops in adults as a result of exposure to the sun. In some cases, lentigo maligna melanomas do not become invasive (or require treatment) for many years.

Nodular melanoma: This accounts for about 15% of all melanoma diagnoses. A nodular melanoma lesion usually looks like a dark brown or black nodule on the skin. This type of melanoma becomes invasive soon after it appears and is more common in men.

Superficial spreading melanoma: This is the most common melanoma type, accounting for 7 of 10 melanoma diagnoses every year. It may be found on the trunk, head and neck, or lower extremities. In many cases, superficial spreading melanoma — which has large, asymmetrical lesions — spreads horizontally across the skin over the course of many years before becoming invasive.