| Superficially spreading malignant melanoma | Most common on sun-exposed skin, but can occur anywhere | Smooth; vertical growth occurs later | Dark brown or black, may be variegated | Becomes more irregular as it grows | May have a pink or reddish halo |
| Nodular melanoma | Most common on sun-exposed skin, but can occur anywhere | Nodular form | Dark brown or black, may be variegated | May be regular or irregular | Grows aggressively, invades early |
| Lentigo maligna melanoma | In a pre-existing lentigo maligna, usually facial | Nodular against a smooth background | Dark or black on pale brown background | Irregular | |
| Acral lentiginous melanoma | Nailbeds, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, mucosal areas | Smooth | Dark brown or black | Irregular | Occurs in both black and white persons |
| Common melanocytic nevi (Figure 21) | Widely scattered | Smooth, flat or uniformly elevated | Uniform light or dark brown | Regular, round or oval, rarely >10 mm diameter | Less common in black persons |
| Lentigo (freckles) | Mainly on sun-exposed surfaces | Smooth, flat brown or tan | Uniform light | Round, oval or polyhedric | Darken with sun exposure, lighten in winter |
| Blue nevi (Figure 20) | Most commonly occur on hands or feet; may occur anywhere | Papules or nodules | Blue, blue-gray, or blue-black | Round or oval, usually <10 mm diameter | Firm on palpation |
| Pigmented basal cell carcinoma (Figure 23) | Most common on the face | Nodule | Growing area is dark brown or black | Becomes irregular as growth progresses | |