This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Maurie Markman, MD, President, Medicine & Science
This page was updated on July 20, 2022.
Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer diagnosed in the United States, and the number of new cases has risen significantly since the early 1990s. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 100,640 people in the United States will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2024. Melanoma is less common than some other types of skin cancer, but it’s more likely to grow and spread.
Melanoma is a complex disease, so it’s important to work with experienced cancer doctors who are trained and up to date on today’s technologies and treatments. At City of Hope, our oncologists have experience with the growing array of precision cancer treatments for the disease, including immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Early-stage melanoma is often treated with surgery alone, but advanced melanoma generally requires surgery in combination with other treatments. Your City of Hope care team will explain your options and design an individualized plan based on your specific needs. We also offer evidence-informed supportive care services to help you manage treatment-related side effects.
This overview will cover the basic facts about melanoma, including:
If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of melanoma and want to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing, or if you’re interested in a second opinion on your melanoma diagnosis and treatment plan, call us or chat online with a member of our team.
Melanoma is a cancer that forms in melanocytes, the skin cells that produce a brown pigment known as melanin. These are the cells that darken when exposed to the sun, a protective response to shield the deeper layers of the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. But, unlike other forms of skin cancer, melanoma may develop in parts of the body not normally exposed to sunlight, such as the groin or bottoms of the feet. It may also form in the eye.
Though the exact cause of melanoma isn’t always clear, the primary risk factor is exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds. People who have had frequent sunburns, especially as children, have an increased risk.
The most common type of melanoma is cutaneous, which develops on the skin. While most melanomas develop on skin exposed to the sun, the disease may also be found in areas not exposed.
Other types of melanoma include:
Melanoma that has spread to distant organs is called metastatic melanoma. The disease most often spreads to the lungs, liver, bone and/or brain.
Most melanomas develop on the skin, where they may be detected early. Regular skin examinations, either self-exams or those performed by a doctor, can help spot suspicious moles or changes in the skin that may be early signs of melanoma.
Other symptoms include:
Diagnosing melanoma begins with a visual examination. If a suspicious mole is found, a doctor may remove it and send a sample to the laboratory to determine if it is melanoma, some other form of skin cancer or a benign growth. If melanoma is found, more extensive surgery may be required to completely remove the tumor and surrounding tissue. Further examinations may be used to determine if the melanoma has spread to nearby lymph nodes or distant organs.
Chemotherapy, either alone or in combination with other treatments, may be recommended for patients with metastatic melanoma that has spread to distant parts of the body. In cases when melanoma tumors are found on an extremity, such as a leg or arm, your doctor may recommend isolated limb infusion to administer chemotherapy directly to the affected limb, to treat the tumor and help prevent the chemotherapy from traveling elsewhere in the body.
Surgery is the primary treatment for localized melanoma and may be an option if the disease has spread and formed tumors in distant organs. Surgeries to treat melanoma may include:
Other treatments for melanoma include:
At City of Hope, our collaborative team of clinicians attacks the disease with conventional treatments while using evidence-informed therapies to help patients manage symptom- and treatment-related side effects. This supportive approach to cancer care helps melanoma patients better tolerate side effects so they can reduce treatment delays and get the most out of life.
Melanoma patients often experience side effects like weight loss, fatigue and nausea. Your care team will work with you to suggest supportive therapies that may help. That may include meeting with an oncology-trained, registered dietitian to address nutrition-related deficiencies and to help you maintain your body weight and strength, and fight infection. Nutritional support can also help manage fatigue and nausea.
Your care team may also recommend naturopathic support, which focuses on using natural, non-toxic techniques to support the self-healing process. Our naturopathic providers meet with patients to review their medical history, listen to their concerns and suggest a variety of natural therapeutic options, including dietary supplements and homeopathic remedies.
Because your care team works all under one roof, you have access to a team of physicians, practitioners and support staff who can tailor treatments and supportive therapies to your specific needs, in real time.
Supportive care therapies that may be recommended to help patients with melanoma stay strong and maintain their quality of life include:
Melanoma occurs when the body cannot repair DNA damage to skin cells called melanocytes, allowing the cells to divide and grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor. DNA damage in melanocytes may be linked to a variety of factors, including genetics and skin type. But most cases of the disease are caused by overexposure to UV light produced by the sun or tanning beds. Melanoma may appear as a dark spot or wound that does not heal, or one that grows, changes shape or bleeds.
Melanoma is more likely than other types of skin cancer to spread to the lymph nodes or metastasize to other parts of the body. The disease accounts for about 1 percent of the skin cancer cases diagnosed each year, but it is also responsible for most deaths caused by skin cancer. Viewed separately from the other forms of skin cancer, melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the United States, with more than 91,270 cases diagnosed each year. While the risk of the disease increases with age, it also occurs in younger people and is among the more common cancers in young adults.
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