Malignant Melanoma Picture Image on MedicineNet.com

Malignant melanoma is the most serious skin cancer and can spread to other places in your body and cause death. Melanomas start as changes to an existing mole. The shape becomes asymmetrical, and the color becomes uneven. It may start to grow and become hard or lumpy. They are aggressive and should be surgically removed. Melanomas occur in the cells (melanocytes) that produce the melanin which gives skin its color. The main cause of melanoma is exposure to ultraviolet radiation in sunlight.