MMelanoma is a form of cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin). It may begin in a mole (skin melanoma), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines.

Estimated new cases and deaths from melanoma in the United States in 2009:

New cases:  68,720
Deaths:  8,650
 
To learn more about melanoma cancer, visit the National Cancer Institute web site at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/melanoma