Melanoma

In people with light complexion, melanoma of the skin makes up over 90% of cases, while melanomas in other areas (eyes, ears, genitals, internal organs) are much rarer. In people with darker complexions, skin melanoma is also most common, usually on the hands and feet. While most skin melanomas are caused by UV exposure, some rarer types are not. Melanoma treatment has changed significantly in the past 10 years. Death rates dropped by 18% within 3 years after new treatments (such as immune checkpoint inhibitors) were introduced. Advances in surgery have also changed how lymph nodes are managed. Treatment continues to improve as care becomes more personalized.

Who Gets Melanoma?

Melanoma is more common among people with the following risk factors (in descending order of risk):

• Diagnosis of the rare genetic condition, xeroderma pigmentosum
• Personal history of melanoma
• History of atypical moles
• Having more than 100 moles
• History of squamous or basal cell skin cancer
• History of 10 or more sunburns
• Red hair color

• First sunburn younger than age 13
• Immunocompromised (e.g., organ transplant recipient)
• Any history of sunburn
• Male sex
• Parent, child, or sibling with melanoma
• Blue eye color
• Tanning bed use before age 21
• More than 10 tanning bed sessions
• High lifetime sun exposure