Melanoma
Melanoma, also redundantly known as malignant melanoma, is a type of skin cancer that develops from the pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes.Melanomas typically occur in the skin but may rarely occur in the mouth, intestines or eye (uveal melanoma). In women, they most commonly occur on the legs, while in men they most commonly occur on the back. About 25% of melanomas develop from moles.Changes in a mole that can indicate melanoma include an increase in size, irregular edges, change in color, itchiness or skin breakdown. The primary cause of melanoma is ultraviolet light (UV) exposure in those with low levels of the skin pigment melanin. Confirmation of the clinical diagnosis is done with a skin biopsy. Excisional biopsies may remove the tumor, but further surgery is often necessary to reduce the risk of recurrence.