Malignant melanoma is an aggressive type of skin cancer that develops from the pigment-producing cells, known as melanocytes. Melanoma can arise as a new mole, developing from melanocytes that were previously normal, or as an already-present mole that develops abnormalities. The primary risk factors of developing malignant melanoma include excessive sun exposure, fair skin, a family history of melanoma, and ultraviolet radiation. Symptoms include changing moles, irregular borders on moles, multiple colours in one mole, bleeding moles, or itchy moles.