What Is Melanoma?
A plain-language explanation of melanoma, how it differs from other skin cancers, and how UV radiation can lead to skin cancer, based on National Cancer Institute resources.
Source: National Cancer Institute · Verified 2026-07-02
3 min readBeginnerUpdated 2026-07-02
The 30-second version
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. It is much less common than the other main skin cancers, but it is much more likely to spread. Most deaths from skin cancer are caused by melanoma. UV radiation from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning booths can lead to skin cancer.
Key takeaways
- Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer.
- The main types of skin cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
- Melanoma is much less common than the other types but much more likely to invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
- Most deaths from skin cancer are caused by melanoma.
- UV radiation from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning booths causes damage that can lead to skin cancer.
Choose how you want to understand this
The full explanation.
The simple version
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. To understand it, it helps to know a little about skin cancer in general.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. The main types of skin cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Melanoma is one of these three main types.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer — the most common kind of cancer overall.
What makes melanoma different
Melanoma is much less common than the other types of skin cancer. So in terms of numbers, it is not the one people are most likely to get.
But melanoma stands apart in another way. It is much more likely to invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. Because of this, most deaths from skin cancer are caused by melanoma, even though it is less common than the other types.
Melanoma is less common than other skin cancers, but more likely to spread.
UV radiation and skin cancer
UV radiation from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning booths causes damage that can lead to skin cancer. This is an important piece of information about how skin cancer can develop.
Because sunlight, sunlamps, and tanning booths are all sources of UV radiation, they are all connected to the kind of damage that can lead to skin cancer.
Moles and melanoma risk
Common moles and dysplastic nevi are related to melanoma risk. Learning what your moles look like can help you notice changes. A healthcare team can explain what to watch for and when to ask about a mole.
What you can do
If you have questions about melanoma, other skin cancers, or protecting your skin, talk with your healthcare team. They can explain your risk, how UV radiation affects the skin, and what changes to report. Learning about prevention can help you take part in those conversations.
Watch instead
Animated lessons are in production. Here’s the planned video slate for this topic — each one will be based on the same NCI-sourced explanation you’re reading.
What Is Melanoma: the quick overview
A one-breath explanation you can watch before an appointment.
Coming soonWhat Is Melanoma, explained simply
The core ideas with friendly animation and plain language.
Coming soonUnderstanding what is melanoma — full lesson
A deeper walkthrough covering the key takeaways and common questions.
Coming soonVideo transcript▾
A full, readable transcript will appear here when the video is published — so the lesson is accessible whether you prefer to watch, listen, or read. For now, the article above is the complete text version.
Suggested animation storyboard▾
- 1Open on a calm title card: "What Is Melanoma?" with the Cancer Explained mark.
- 2Narrator reads the 30-second summary while a soft animated diagram builds on screen: "Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. It is much less common than the other main skin cancers, but it is much more likely to spread. Most deaths from skin cancer are caused by melanoma. UV radiation from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning booths can lead to skin cancer."
- 3Scene 2: illustrate the idea — "Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer."
- 4Scene 3: illustrate the idea — "The main types of skin cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma."
- 5Scene 4: illustrate the idea — "Melanoma is much less common than the other types but much more likely to invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body."
- 6Close on a reminder card: this is educational only; talk with your healthcare team, and a link to the NCI source.
Words to know
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Quick knowledge check
According to this article, what type of cancer is melanoma?
Frequently asked questions
▸Is melanoma the most dangerous skin cancer?
Melanoma is much less common than the other main types of skin cancer, but it is much more likely to invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. Most deaths from skin cancer are caused by melanoma.
▸Does sunlight cause melanoma?
UV radiation from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning booths causes damage that can lead to skin cancer. Melanoma is one type of skin cancer.
▸What are the main types of skin cancer?
The main types of skin cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer.
▸Is melanoma a common cancer?
Melanoma is much less common than the other main types of skin cancer. However, it is much more likely to invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body, and most deaths from skin cancer are caused by melanoma.
▸Are moles related to melanoma?
Common moles and dysplastic nevi are related to melanoma risk. A healthcare team can explain what to watch for and when to ask about a mole.
Test your understanding
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Review key terms
Study 9 flashcards built from this topic’s key terms and common questions — flip each card to reveal a plain-language explanation.
Questions to ask your healthcare team
Consider bringing these questions to your next appointment.
- Am I at higher risk for melanoma or other skin cancers?
- How can I protect my skin from UV radiation?
- What changes in my skin or moles should I report to you?
- Should any of my moles be checked?
- How often should I have my skin looked at?
- Where can I learn more about moles, dysplastic nevi, and melanoma risk?
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