Most common origin of melanoma is from
Sabiston (16/e) writes -
"Melanoma is a neoplastic disorder produced by malignant transformation of the normal melanocytes. Melanocytes are the cells responsible for the production of the pigment melanin.
During the first trimester of fetal life precursor melanocytes arise in the neural crest. As the fetus develops, these cells migrate to areas such as the skin, meninges, mucous membranes, upper esophagus and eyes.
In each of the these locations, melanocytes have demonstrated a potential for malignant transformation, but the site most commonly associated with melanocytic transformation is the skin, where melanocytes reside at the dermal/epidermal junction".
Junctional melanocytes
Epidermal cells
Basal cells
Follicular cells