Types of Melanoma

Superficial Spreading Melanoma

• Most common type of melanoma
• 70–80% of all melanoma cases
• Spreads horizontally across skin before growing vertically

Lentigo Maligna Melanoma

• Develops from a lentigo maligna (slow-growing, flat, coloured patch of skin)
• Occurs when melanoma cells invade deeper skin layers
• Often found on the face and neck of older people

Nodular Melanoma

• Can mimic benign conditions like blood blisters and acne
• Grows beneath the skin, making it hard to see
• One of the more invasive skin cancers

Acral Lentiginous Melanoma

• Commonly found on the foot of people with darker skin
• Begins as a uniform brownish mark, becomes darker and wider with a blurred irregular edge
• Found on palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or under the nails
• May become bumpy and ulcerate

Mucosal Lentiginous Melanoma

• Rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the moist membranes lining the inside of the body
• Most common type of mucosal melanoma
• Develops in the mucous membranes of the body

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

• Most common type of skin cancer
• Usually caused by exposure to UV rays
• Can appear as a small, painless bump or raised area of skin, shiny or with small blood vessels

Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma

• Most common type of BCC
• Appears as a pink, pearly, or flesh-colored, raised bump or nodule on the skin
• Often has visible blood vessels around it
• Commonly found on the face, especially the nose, cheeks, forehead, eyelids, and nasolabial folds

Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma

• Appears as a thin, pink plaque, papule, or macule with a pink, pearly border
• Common, relatively minor skin cancer
• Usually caused by exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays

Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma

• Occurs when melanin and melanocytes are mixed with tumor cells
• More common in people with darker skin, particularly Asians
• Can be mistaken for melanoma due to its dark, irregular pigmentation

Morpheaform Basal Cell Carcinoma

• Rare, aggressive subtype of skin cancer
• Also known as sclerosing or fibrosing BCC
• Most often occurs on the face and neck
• Smooth, flat, or slightly depressed, white or flesh-colored plaques with ill-defined borders

Keratotic Basal Cell Carcinoma

• Rare variant of basal cell carcinoma
• Characterized by keratin formation in the center of tumor islands
• Also known as pilar BCC
• Most common, least aggressive, least likely to metastasize

Actinic Keratosis (AK) - Precancerous Skin Condition

• Rough, scaly patches or bumps caused by long-term sun exposure
• Appears as small, scaly spots, raised bumps, or a rough, raised patch of skin
• Can be red, pink, skin-colored, or gray
• Can cause bleeding, burning, stinging, or itching
• Usually appears on the face, lips, ears, back of hands, forearms, scalp, and neck

Risk Factors for Actinic Keratosis

• Fair or light complexion
• Blond or red hair
• Blue or green eyes
• History of multiple or severe sunburns
• Weakened immune system

This quiz explores the different types of melanoma, including superficial spreading melanoma, lentigo maligna melanoma, nodular melanoma, acral lentiginous melanoma, and mucosal lentiginous melanoma. Test your knowledge on the characteristics and implications of each type of melanoma.