Melanoma is on the rise in the United States. One in approximately 34 Americans will eventually develop it -- up dramatically from an estimated 1 in 1000 at the turn of the 20th century. 

When melanomas are detected early, most can be cured by simple surgery. Some patients, however, have a high risk for recurrence or spread of melanoma and require an integrated care plan.

   Read about a New Treatment Trial for Advanced Melanoma -To address the increasing need for specialty care of melanoma, UCSD Dermatology has teamed with the Moores UCSD Cancer Center to offer comprehensive care for all patients at risk for this disease. Our team of specialists in dermatology, dermatopathology, medical oncology and surgical oncology work together to provide you with a personalized treatment plan.

Our Clinic Offers:

• Clinical services, including detailed evaluation and follow-up of individuals who have multiple moles, a suspicion of melanoma, or who are at high risk for melanoma. Risk factor education, genetic counseling and nutritional education are also available.
  
• State-of-the-art therapies for each disease stage
  
• The opportunity for patients to participate in research programs aimed at improving our understanding of the cancer process or increasing the effectiveness of our therapies
  
• An active research protocol development team dedicated to bringing national clinical trials to the Moores Cancer Center

Melanoma is a difficult disease with inadequate therapies in the advanced stages. The Moores Cancer Center was designed to integrate patient services and research expertise. We have basic science research laboratories on site dedicated to finding new targets for the treatment of melanoma.

This allows our physicians to bring their clinical questions to the lab, which can lead to the design of new treatments. The active, two-way communication between physicians and scientists underlies our strength in developing innovative treatments that hold true hope for patients.