There are four main types of malignant melanoma which occur in the skin. These are known as cutaneous melanoma:

Superficial spreading melanoma is the most common type of melanoma. About 7 out of 10 (70%) are this type. They occur mostly in middle-aged people. The most common place in women is on the legs, while in men it is more common on the trunk, particularly the back. They tend to start by spreading out across the surface of the skin: this is known as the radial growth phase.

Nodular melanoma occurs most often on the chest or back. It is most commonly found in middle-aged people. It tends to grow deeper into the skin quite quickly if it is not removed. This type of melanoma is often raised above the rest of the skin surface and feels like a bump. It may be very dark brown-black or black.

Lentigo maligna melanoma is most commonly found on the face, particularly in older people. It grows slowly and may take several years to develop.

Acral melanoma is usually found on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet or around the toenails.

Other very rare types of melanoma of the skin include amelanotic melanoma (in which the melanoma loses its pigment and appears as a white area) and desmoplastic melanoma (which contains fibrous scar tissue).

Melanoma can start in parts of the body other than the skin but this is very rare. The parts of the body that may be affected are the eye, the mouth, under the fingernails (known as subungual melanoma) the vulval or vaginal tissues, or internally.