Final answer:
A skin condition with dark brown, black, or discolored patches is commonly referred to as melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer arising from pigment-producing cells. Treatment typically involves surgical methods and immunotherapy. It's important to distinguish this from other causes of skin coloration changes, such as Addison's disease or vitiligo.
Step-by-step explanation:
A condition on the skin characterized by dark brown, black, or discolored patches is known as melanoma. Melanoma is a type of cancer that arises from melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing pigment in the epidermis. This condition is often identified by its asymmetrical brown and black patches with irregular borders and a raised surface. Melanomas can develop from an existing mole and are regarded as the most lethal form of skin cancer due to their ability to metastasize rapidly to other organs. To prevent further complications, the treatment usually includes surgical excision and immunotherapy.
Aside from melanoma, there are other skin conditions that result in changes in skin pigmentation, such as a large brown spot with darker specks, small lesions with irregular borders, and dark lesions found on palms, soles, fingertips, toes, or mucous membranes. However, not all coloration changes in the skin are cancerous, as some can indicate different diseases or conditions like Addison's disease, which can cause hyperpigmentation, or vitiligo, which leads to depigmentation and lighter patches of skin.