Cancer Type

Melanoma

Being diagnosed with melanoma can be overwhelming. If you or someone you care about has been affected by melanoma, you may have some questions.

This page provides information about melanoma to get you started. For more in-depth details or additional support, please explore the links at the end of the page.

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Understanding melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that starts in skin cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes make melanin which gives our skin its colour.1

Melanoma can start in a mole or in normal-looking skin. It typically starts on areas of the skin that are regularly exposed to the sun, like the back, legs, arms, and face.1

How melanoma starts

Cells are the building blocks for every part of your body.2 Melanoma skin cancer happens when abnormal cells in the skin start to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way.3

Anyone can develop melanoma, but people with fair skin, a history of sunburns, or many moles have a higher risk. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or tanning beds is a leading cause of melanoma.4

Types of melanoma

There are four main types of melanoma:1

Superficial spreading melanoma

Around 7–8 out of every 10 people with melanoma (around 70-80%) have this type.5 Most often found on the arms, legs, chest and back.1 This usually grows slowly.1

Nodular melanoma

Usually found as a raised area of skin on the chest, back, head or neck.1 Unlike other types of melanoma, this tends to grow outwards before growing deeper into the skin.5

Lentigo maligna melanoma

A less common type usually found in older people.1 This melanoma is usually flat but can form lumps over time.5

Acral lentiginous melanoma

A rare type of melanoma usually found on the palm of the hands, soles of the feet, or under fingernails and toenails.1

Treatment options for melanoma

The treatment someone is given for their melanoma is based on its stage (how far it has grown or if it has spread).1

There are several treatment options for melanoma. Some of the most common are:

  • Surgery: This is often the first treatment for melanoma, where doctors aim to take out all of the cancerous cells. They also take out some of the nearby healthy skin to make sure all of the cancer is gone6
  • Immunotherapy: This treatment uses drugs to help your immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. It tends to be used for melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body7
  • Chemotherapy: Though less common for melanoma, chemotherapy may be used to slow the progression of advanced melanoma by killing cells that grow and multiply quickly8
  • Targeted therapy: This targets specific features of the melanoma that allow it to grow and survive in the body. This is more commonly used for melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body9
  • Radiation therapy: Directs high-energy rays at the melanoma. This tends to be used to shrink advanced melanoma or to control symptoms10

Your healthcare team is there to support you. They will work closely with you to decide the best treatment plan based on your unique situation. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to them for guidance and reassurance. Remember, you’re not alone in this.

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Charities and support

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer, support groups and charities are great places to find information and connect with people going through a similar experience.

Find a group
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By Your Side App

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References

  1. Macmillan. What is melanoma. Available at: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/melanoma [Accessed May 2025].
  2. National Library of Medicine. Why is genetics important to my family and me? Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK115604/ [Accessed May 2025].
  3. Cancer Research UK. What is melanoma skin cancer? Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/melanoma/about [Accessed May 2025].
  4. Cancer Research UK. Risks and causes of melanoma skin cancer. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/melanoma/risks-causes [Accessed May 2025].
  5. Cancer Research UK. Types of melanoma. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/melanoma/stages-types/types [Accessed May 2025].
  6. Cancer Research UK. Surgery to remove melanoma skin cancer. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/melanoma/treatment/surgery/surgery-remove-melanoma [Accessed May 2025].
  7. Macmillan. Immunotherapy for melanoma. Available at: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/immunotherapy-for-melanoma [Accessed May 2025].
  8. Cancer Research UK. Chemotherapy for advanced melanoma. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/melanoma/treatment/advanced-treatment/chemotherapy-advanced-melanoma/about [Accessed May 2025].
  9. Macmillan. Targeted therapy for melanoma. Available at: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/targeted-therapy-for-melanoma [Accessed May 2025].
  10. Cancer Research UK. Radiotherapy treatment. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/melanoma/treatment/radiotherapy/radiotherapy-treatment [Accessed May 2025].