Melanoma Program

The San Diego Cancer Center Melanoma Program spans the broad spectrum of specialty areas necessary for comprehensive melanoma care. Our multidisciplinary team works as an integrated group to determine individualized treatment plans and coordinate clinical trials to validate new therapies. San Diego’s Top oncologic specialists have come together at the center to deliver world-class care.

About Melanoma

Melanoma is a cancer of the pigment-producing cells of the skin called "melanocytes." These cells make dark skin dark, and allow fair skin to tan. Melanoma is an important cancer to know about, because if it is diagnosed and removed at an early stage, the cure rate is high. However, if it is diagnosed late, spread of disease is likely to occur.

Incidence

Melanoma is not as common as other “nonmelanoma” skin cancers. It strikes more than 60,000 people in the United States annually as compared to more than one million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Nonmelanoma skin cancers rarely spread to other parts of the body, but melanomas are far more prone to spread. Melanomas account for about 10 – 20 percent of all skin cancers.

Over the years the incidence of melanoma has increased. Melanoma most often affects those with lighter skin; however, some areas like Japan and Puerto Rico have recently seen a rise in melanoma cases.

A study comparing Hispanics, Asians, and African-Americans suggested that racial differences may contribute to the risk of developing this disease. Studies show that more than half of Hispanics studied developed melanoma in the head and neck as well as extremities; Asians have the lowest incidence of melanoma, although studies have not yet discovered why; and African-Americans, more often in males, were diagnosed with melanoma mostly on the foot.

Prevention

Trends suggest that an increase in awareness and surveillance has influenced the number of melanoma cases diagnosed each year, although there is no solid evidence to support this. Increasing the use of sunscreens and limiting sun exposure may be having an impact as well. Early detection and diagnosis through consistent skin surveillance programs are proactive approaches to building awareness of the disease.

Melanoma can appear anywhere on the skin surface. In men, it is most common on the back or the head and neck, and in women, on the back or the back of the legs. Melanoma can develop in a pre-existing mole, or arise on normal-appearing skin. It is suspected when a "mole" looks uneven in terms of its border, shape, or color. Diagnosis is confirmed with a simple skin biopsy.

Types of Skin Cancer

Three types of skin cancer account for about 95% of all the skin cancers that occur: melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are sometimes called "nonmelanoma skin cancers."

FOR MORE INFO:

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/melanoma