Melanoma

Overview

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that begins in the cells (melanocytes) that make the pigment that gives your skin its color.

Melanomas can develop anywhere on your body, but they most often develop in areas that have had exposure to the sun, such as your back, legs, arms and face. Melanomas can also occur in areas that don't receive much sun exposure, such as the soles of your feet, palms of your hands and fingernail beds. These hidden melanomas are more common in people with darker skin.

Melanoma treatment usually involves surgery. More-advanced melanomas and those that have spread throughout the body may require additional treatments.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for melanoma

• Expert diagnosis. Specialists at Mayo Clinic work as a team to make a prompt melanoma diagnosis so you can begin treatment as soon as possible. Mayo Clinic's surgical pathologists and dermatopathologists are respected for their expertise in identifying melanoma stage, depth and severity, which is critical for selecting the most appropriate treatment combination.
• Team approach to care. Melanoma treatment decisions are made by you and an experienced team of doctors representing multiple specialties, who carefully consider the risks and benefits of treatment options. Doctors with expertise in dermatology, oncology, pathology, ophthalmology, surgery, and other medical and surgical specialties work together to treat you based on your needs.
• Access to experimental treatments. The melanoma research program at Mayo Clinic is focused on developing and evaluating new, innovative melanoma treatments. Some Mayo patients undergoing treatment for late-stage disease choose to participate in clinical trials examining the latest treatments.
• Comprehensive cancer center. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center meets strict standards for a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center, recognizing scientific excellence and a multispecialty approach focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., and Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., are ranked high performing for cancer by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

Why Choose Mayo Clinic
What Sets Mayo Clinic Apart

Read more about melanoma and eye melanoma.