ITEC Anatomy & Physiology - Skin Practice Test 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The tumor that is composed of melanocytes and is considered the most severe is malignant melanoma. This type of skin cancer originates from melanocytes, which are the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color.

Malignant melanoma is particularly concerning because it has the potential to grow quickly and metastasize, meaning it can spread to other parts of the body more readily than other types of skin cancers. The aggressive nature of malignant melanoma, along with its ability to invade deeper layers of the skin and other organs, makes it critical to detect and treat early.

In contrast, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are forms of skin cancer that arise from different types of cells in the skin and are generally less aggressive than malignant melanoma. While these tumors can cause significant local damage and require treatment, they are much less likely to metastasize. Milia, on the other hand, are small cysts that occur in the skin, typically containing keratin, and are not tumors at all, further underscoring the distinct severity of malignant melanoma compared to the other options.