Melanoma Skin Cancer Cancer Melanoma Skin Cancer Melanoma skin cancer is a type of skin cancer that develops in melanocytes. Melanoma skin cancer is a type of skin cancer that develops in melanocytes. Melanocytes produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. Although melanoma skin cancers are less common than non-melanoma skin cancers , melanomas are much more dangerous.
Diagnosis begins with a medical history and physical exam.
The shave biopsy method generally is not used if melanoma is suspected. In excisional or incisional biopsy, a scalpel is used to cut out a wedge of skin. Once a skin sample is removed, it is examined under the microscope to check for the presence of cancerous cells. Simple excision is similar to excision biopsy. In simple excision, however, a wider margin of normal skin around the tumor is removed, to ensure that no cancerous cells remain.