TYPES OF MELANOMA There are fourmain types of skinmelanoma:
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Superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) is the most common type. Superficial spreading melanomas are more commonly found on the arms, legs, chest and back. The melanoma cells usually grow slowly at first and spread out (radially) across the surface of the skin. If not treated, superficial spreading melanomas invade into the underlying skin and require more aggressive treatment.
Nodular melanoma (NM) is the second type of melanoma. Nodular melanomas grow more quickly, frequently invade locally or metastasize sooner than other melanomas. Nodular melanomas are also more likely to lose their color when growing, becoming red (due to increased vascularity) rather than black. Nodular melanomas are more commonly found on the chest, back, head or neck.
Lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) is the third type of melanoma. It is usually found in people over age 55 years and especially in areas of skin that have had excessive sun exposure over many years; specifically, lentigo maligna melanomas are often found on the face and neck. Lentigo maligna melanomas arise from a slow-growing precancerous condition called a lentigo maligna or Hutchinson’s freckle. Lentigo maligna looks like a yellow macule (flat) stain on the skin of the neck or face, especially on the cheeks. Lentigo maligna melanomas are usually slow-growing and less dangerous than the other types of melanoma.
Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is the rarest type of melanoma. It is usually found on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or under fingernails or toenails. Acral lentiginous melanoma is more common in people with black or brown skin (Fitzpatrick skin type 4 and 5). Acral lentiginous melanomas are not thought to be related to sun exposure.
Rarely, melanomas arise in parts of the body other than the skin. Melanomas can start in the eye (ocular melanoma) or in the mucosa that line areas inside the body, such as the anus or rectum (anorectal melanoma), nose, mouth, and lungs.
Byron Barksdale, MD Pathologist
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