In rare cases, the tumour may begin in the eyes, the respiratory passage, the intestine, or the brain. Malignant melanoma is a very dangerous type of cancer, and the patient's chances of survival often depend on early discovery and treatment.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer.
Each year approx. 1 in every 10,000 people in the UK will develop a new case of malignant melanoma. Sun radiation is a contributing factor in 90 per cent of all cases of skin cancer. People of all ages can get skin cancer, but it is rarely seen in children. People who are exposed to large quantities of sun radiation can develop skin cancer as early as 20-30, but the disease is much more common in elderly people.