What is melanoma?

Also known as: skin cancer.

Melanocytes are the cells in the body’s skin that produce melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its color. When cancer develops in the melanocytes, it is known as melanoma. Of the many forms of skin cancer, melanoma is generally regarded as the most dangerous. Melanoma can appear in both adults and children.

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Reviewed by: Ana Margarita Duarte, MD

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM