There are 3 main types of melanoma:

Superficial melanoma

It is the most common type of skin cancer. It accounts for approximately 70% of all cases of melanoma. It tends to grow outward (radial growth) and spreads to the surface of the skin, but can also begin to grow in the depth of the skin (called vertical growth). It is often flat and thin (less than 1 mm thick) with an uneven edge. It varies with color and can have different shades of red, bluish, brown, black, gray and white.

Nodular melanoma

Nodular melanoma is the second type of melanoma as incidence. It accounts for about 15-20% of all cases of melanoma. Nodular melanoma increases in the depth of the skin. It develops and spreads faster than other skin cancers. Growth may be in the form of a fungus or stem (pedunculated). It is usually black, but sometimes it may be red, pink or may have the same color as the skin.

Malignant melanoma malignant

It accounts for about 10-15% of all cases of melanoma. Usually, it appears as a large brown spot with an uneven edge. Tend to become darker as it grows and has many shades of brown or black.

Other types of melanoma

Mucosal melanoma develops on the thin mucosa of organs or other parts of the body such as nasal passages, mouth, throat (pharynx), rectum, anal canal, and vagina. It is not related to sun exposure as most types of melanoma. It is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage and tends to grow and spread rapidly.

Intraocular melanoma is the most common type of eye cancer.

Desmoplastic melanoma develops in the deep layer of the skin or in the connective tissue layer that surrounds the mucosa. It often develops on the head, neck, back or areas of the mucous body.