A "black tumor" usually refers to melanoma, which is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. Melanoma develops from melanocytes, the skin cells that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. This cancer often appears as a dark or black spot or lump on the skin, but can also sometimes look brown, pink, red, purple, or skin-colored. Key points about melanoma ("black tumor"):
- It can grow quickly and spread to other parts of the body if not detected early.
- It often manifests as an irregular, asymmetrical mole or spot that may have multiple colors and an evolving size or shape.
- Melanoma can appear as dark, raised lumps, sometimes resembling black tumors.
- Early detection and treatment are critical — melanoma has a high cure rate when caught early.
- Certain types of melanoma frequently occur on hard-to-see areas like palms, soles, and under nails, especially in people with dark or black skin.
- Symptoms can include changing moles, dark vertical lines under nails, or unevenly colored patches on the skin.
Melanoma is life-threatening but highly treatable if diagnosed early through skin exams and biopsy. It is important to monitor skin changes closely and seek medical evaluation for suspicious dark spots or lumps.
