Melanoma is a malignant form of skin cancer that occurs in cells called melanocytes, which produce pigments that give skin its color. Melanoma usually appears as an irregular brown, black and/or red spot, or an existing mole that begins to change color, size or shape. While melanoma only represents about 3% of all skin cancers, it has the highest death rate of all types, and is more likely to metastasize (spread).

Melanoma appears most frequently on the trunk area in fair-skinned men and on the lower leg in fair-skinned women. In dark-skinned people, melanoma appears most frequently on the palms, the soles of the feet and the skin under nails. If caught early, melanoma is potentially curable.

• Skin Cancer Basics (pdf)
• Just the Facts … Skin Cancer (pdf)
• Types of Melanoma
• Staging
• Treatment
• Risk Factors for Melanoma

Symptoms of Melanoma
Any pigmented lesion that undergoes a change in size, configuration, or color should be biopsied. The ABCDEs of early diagnosis are an easy way to become familiar with the early signs of malignant melanoma:

• Asymmetry of lesion
• Border irregularity
• Color variegation
• Diameter greater than 6 millimeters
• Elevation: is the lesion growing in height?

Patients with melanoma are treated in our Melanoma & Skin Center.
Head and neck melanoma patients are treated in our Head & Neck Center.

Skin Evaluation Clinic
If you think you may have skin cancer, screening is your best defense.

Minimally Invasive Surgery at M. D. Anderson is a surgical approach to melanoma and other cancer treatments designed to minimize trauma, maximize outcomes and enable patients to quickly return to their normal life.

M. D. Anderson's Screening Guideline
(Updated December 2006)

Promptly show your doctor any:

• Suspicious skin area
• Non-healing sore
• Change in a mole or freckle

Skin Chart
Print out this skin chart (pdf) and mark your moles, freckles, blemishes, birthmarks and other skin growths once a month. If you detect changes, contact your physician.

Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Tips

• Southern Exposure - Skin cancer prevention tips.
• Get to Know Your Moles - Spending a few minutes becoming familiar with your moles and learning how to distinguish normal moles from possibly abnormal growths is the key to early detection of skin cancer.
• How to do a Skin Self-Exam - Follow these easy step-by-step instructions.

 Sun Saftey and Skin Cancer Prevention for Teens (13:09)
Talking to your teen about skin cancer risk including the use of tanning beds and tips for effective sun protection. (August 2008)
Download  /  Listen  /  Transcript

Melanoma & Skin Cancer (May 2008)

• Dr. Patrick Hwu and His Patient David (4:14)
• Melanoma & Skin Cancer with Dr. Patrick Hwu (3:42)
• Melanoma Survivor David (5:45)

Patient Power - Advances in the Treatment of Melanoma (1:01:16)
The incidence of melanoma, a malignant form of skin cancer, is rising faster than any other cancer. Learn about new advances in treatment including vaccine therapy.(May 2008)
Download  /  Listen

Cancer Newsline: Metastatic Melanoma (2:15)
Researchers at M. D. Anderson are studying a monoclonal antibody to treat metastatic melanoma – without the toxic side effects of chemotherapy. (Spring 2005)
Windows Media: 256K / 56K
QuickTime: 256K / 56K

Patient Story

• Sandy Pierce: "I view it as my greatest accomplishment that I fought cancer, kept my sense of humor and I'm still here today."

Survivor Support

• Anderson Network - Call 1-800-345-6324 to speak with another melanoma patient.
• Cancer Survivor Message Board - Share concerns and experiences with other cancer survivors.
• Support Groups - Find a group that fits your needs.

Project Safety - Skin cancer education materials for schoolteachers at all grade levels.

Practice Guidelines - Select Skin, then Melanoma.

Melanoma SPORE - Learn about the Melanoma SPORE, that will look into promising leads in the areas of risk, genetics, biology of progression, immunity and novel therapies.

Melanoma Is Not for Adults Only

Immune Dysfunction, Age Lower Survival Odds

Plan it Safe, Protect Your Skin for Days in the Sun

Test Your Knowledge About Sunscreen

Melanoma Places Athlete in Run for His Life

Q&A: What to Know About Melanoma

New Approaches for Advanced Melanoma (Español)

Simple Skin Cancer Prevention (Español)

Cancer Vaccine Works Through Immune System

Melanoma Risk Only Partially Linked to UVB

Understanding the Basics of Melanoma (Español)

Spice Blocks Melanoma Growth in Lab Tests

More...

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American Cancer Society

National Cancer Institute

American Melanoma Foundation

Melanoma International Foundation

NCCN Patient Guidelines (Español)

Melanoma Patients Information Page (MPIP)

U.S. News Cancer Center: Skin Cancer