Melanoma is a malignant tumor of skin and mucous membranes that develops from melanocytes, and is highly susceptible for early lymphatic and hematogenic metastasis. The incidence of melanoma is increasing worldwide and it is higher in males, middle-aged and light-skinned people. The most common anatomical localizations of this tumor are the back in men and extremities in women. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is one of the most important factors in etiopathogenesis of melanoma. The other risk factors are the existence of a large number of moles, a positive family history of melanoma and iatrogenic or acquired immunosuppression. The most common types of melanoma are lentigo maligna melanoma, superficial-spreading melanoma, nodular melanoma and acral lentiginous melanoma. ABCDEFG rule is an acronym used for the clinical detection of melanoma. Dermatoscopy is a non-invasive diagnostic method that determines whether the lesion is melanocytic or nonmelanocytic, and if it is a benign or malignant lesion. An excision or incision biopsy with pathohistological analysis is necessary for melanoma diagnosis. Immunohistological methods are used to confirm the melanocyte origin of the tumor. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is used for the identification and analysis of the sentinel lymph node, and if it is affected by metastases, a dissection of all regional lymph nodes is performed. Radiologic examinations, as well as PET/CT, are used for evaluating the spread of the disease, patient follow-up and identifying metastatic disease. The melanoma staging system according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer provides planning appropriate treatment and prognosis determination. Surgical excision is a method of choice in patients with melanoma. For regional and distant metastases radiotherapy, standard chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy are also used. Follow-up for melanoma patients should be life-long.