Types of Melanoma
By Mia Wangsmo Steffenssen MD, Mike Mikkelsen Lorenzen, MD and Pia Sjøgren MD
Based on the Danish Melanoma Database 2019.
Superficial spreading melanoma (81%)
All body surface, mostly head, neck, and trunk of males and lower extremities of females


Nodular melanoma (7%)
All body surface, especially the trunk of males. Extremely aggressive, with rapid progression from the radial to the vertical growth phase. Early metastasis, poor prognosis.

Lentigo maligna melanoma (3,5%)
Presents in sun-exposed areas of the body, primarily face, head and neck areas.
Acral lentiginous melanoma (<1%)
Palms, soles and subungual areas
Extremely aggressive, with rapid progression from the radial to vertical growth phase
Rare subtypes
Mucosal lentigo melanoma
Treatment in the relevant department; e.g, ophthalmic, gynecological and gastrointestinal.
Amelanotic melanoma (<1%)
Subtype of superficial spreading malignant melanoma without sufficient pigment production to appear as a pigmented lesion.
Desmoplastic melanoma (<1%)
Rare type of malignant melanoma characterized by no production of pigment and resemblance to hypertrophic scars. Presents on external skin and must be differentiated from scar-tissue on anamnesis as well as other benign lesions it resembles.