About Melanoma

About melanoma and moles
Melanoma is a potentially life-threatening form of skin cancer, which grows from cells in the skin that make pigmentation or color. When these pigment cells grow, they can form a non-cancerous growth called a nevus or mole. It is believed that 30-50 percent of melanoma can evolve from a long-standing mole.

The remainder of melanoma appears as a new mole on the skin. According to the American Cancer Society, the incidence of melanoma has increased about four percent a year. It is the sixth most common cancer in the United States.  Learn more about Risks, Prevention and Screening.

Early detection of melanoma
If you are Caucasian, your probability of developing melanoma over your lifetime is one in 75. However, finding melanoma in its earliest stages usually means it can be cured.  Learn more about melanoma treatment.

Patients diagnosed with later stages of melanoma have a worse prognosis. Fortunately, the majority of people diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer have a good prognosis, because the cancer has not spread from the skin to other areas.  Learn more about melanoma diagnosis.

Screening for specialized patients
Our physicians also provide screening for populations at high-risk for developing skin cancer, including organ transplant patients, patients on immunosuppressive medications, patients with immune deficiency and patients with a history of other cancers.  Meet our team of melanoma specialists.