A dangerous skin cancer melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that begins in cells known as melanocytes while it is less common than basal cell carcinoma bcc and squamous cell carcinoma scc melanoma is more dangerous because of its ability to spread to other organs more rapidly if it is not treated at an early stage. Melanoma skin cancer melanoma is less common than some other types of skin cancer but it is more likely to grow and spread if you have melanoma or are close to someone who does knowing what to expect can help you cope here you can find out all about melanoma including risk factors symptoms how it is found and how it is treated. Melanoma melanoma is a form of skin cancer that begins in the cells melanocytes that control the pigment in your skin this illustration shows melanoma cells extending from the surface of the skin into the deeper skin layers melanoma the most serious type of skin cancer develops in the cells melanocytes that produce melanin the pigment . Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other organs in the body signs and symptoms of melanoma the most common sign of melanoma is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole this can happen anywhere on the body but the most commonly affected areas are the back in men and the legs in women