Types | Medibuddy
9th July 2023

Types

Clinical presentation depends on the type of melanoma (see table 3). Rarer forms include amelanotic, mucosal and ocular.

Type Description/Site Details
Superficial spreading Discoloured patch, variable colours, irregular shape

Males – torso, Females – legs

Most common type

Predominantly horizontal growth

May thicken over time

Nodular Dark brown/red papule/nodule

May bleed, ulcerate

Predominantly vertical growth

Rapid growth

Lentigo Maligna Irregular patch of variable discolouration

Head/neck

Slower, horizontal growth
Acral Lentiginous Irregular patch of variable discolouration

Palms and soles

All skin types, horizontal growth

Sub-types: subungual melanoma (Hutchinson’s sign, pyramid sign)

Table 3: Table outlining the more typical forms of melanoma with associated details

MRCP Part 1 - Extensive acral lentiginous melanoma of the left sole of the foot

Extensive acral lentiginous melanoma of the left sole of the foot.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons (2020). Photography of a large acral lentiginous melanoma, Licensed under a creative commons licence. Available for free at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Photography_of_a_large_acral_lentiginous_melanoma.jpg (Accessed on: 2 November 2021).

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