In fact, there are multiple types of melanoma.
Thankfully, mucosal melanoma is the one of the most rare kinds of melanoma. Here’s a quick guide to the four basic types, which account for the majority of cases, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation.
1. Superficial Spreading Melanoma: This is the most common type, and accounts for 70% of all cases of melanoma. It's the one that's most commonly seen in young people; it grows along the top layer of the skin before invading deeper tissues.
It is most likely to occur as a raised or flat bump or mole with ABCDE characteristics, and it tends to show up on the torso for men, on the backs of the legs for women, and on the upper back for both genders.
2. Acral Lentiginous Melanoma: This form of melanoma is the most common among Asians and African-Americans and the least common among Caucasians.
Acral lentiginous melanoma also spreads on the superficial layer of the skin before making its way into deeper tissue. However, like mucosal melanoma, it typically appears as a black or brown spot under your nails, on the soles of your feet, or on the palms of your hands. It also can advance more quickly than other kinds.
3. Nodular Melanoma: Though nodular melanoma is mostly found in older people, it accounts for 10 to 15% of all cases of melanoma, so it’s good to know about. It’s also the most aggressive of the melanomas. Since it can grow so quickly in thickness (penetrating the skin) instead of in diameter, it is usually already invasive at the time it is diagnosed — as opposed to the other forms of melanoma, which take more time to spread and become invasive.
A nodular melanoma is often a funny-colored bump, usually black, but it can be blue, gray, white, brown, tan, red, or skin-toned.
4. Lentigo Maligna: This is the slowest-growing form of melanoma. It usually occurs in elderly people, but younger people aren't immune.
This type tends to appear on areas of the skin that are chronically sun-exposed, especially the face, ears, arms, and upper torso.
Photograpahed by: Heather Talbert