1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Dermatology

Melanoma

By Heather Brannon, MD, About.com

Updated: March 07, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition:

Melanoma is the most deadly skin cancer. It is also the eighth most common cancer in the United States.

Melanoma is a cancer of melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin. Other types of skin cancer typically grow locally, but melanoma is the type that can spread to other areas of the body (metastasize).

Explore Dermatology
About.com Special Features

Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Dermatology
  4. Dermatology Basics
  5. Glossary
  6. M
  7. Melanoma Skin Cancer Information - Melanoma Definition

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.