Melanoma in skin of colour

Source: DermNet NZ, December 2019

What is melanoma?

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer formed from the uncontrolled growth and replication of melanocytes (pigment cells) [1]. Melanoma is sometimes referred to as malignant melanoma and has a variety of subtypes.

What is skin of colour?

‘Skin of colour’ is a subjective term used to refer to a natural skin pigmentation ‘darker’ than white (ie, brown or black skin). When compared against a graded assessment of skin colour, such as the Fitzpatrick phototypes, skin of colour may refer to skin classified as type IV or higher [2]. In some contexts, skin of colour is also used to describe the skin of different non-white ethnic groups, including those of African, Asian, South American, Pacific Island, Maori, Middle Eastern, and Hispanic descent [3]. See ethnic dermatology.

Who gets melanoma?

Melanoma may develop in any skin type, but it is most commonly seen in those with light coloured skin. Conversely, a darker skin colour is associated with a reduced risk of developing melanoma [4]. This trend is evident when comparing the rates of melanoma seen in diverse ethnic groups predisposed to different skin colours.