The skin has many purposes. It protects the internal organs of the body from injury, such as damage from falls or burns and from ultraviolet light from the sun. The skin also helps regulate body temperature and excretes waste substances. It is divided into two main layers. The layer nearest the surface is known as the epidermis and the layer underneath this is known as the dermis.
Malignant melanoma is one of many types of skin cancer .
It develops in cells known as melanocytes. These are cells which normally lie in the lower part of the epidermis and produce a pigment called melanin. Melanin is responsible for the colour of our skin. Moles are examples of lots of melanocytes that have been grouped together. All rights reserved.