Definition of melanoma: A form of cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin). It may begin in a mole (skin melanoma), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines.
Estimated new cases and deaths from melanoma in the United States in 2012:
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121006182734im_/http://www.cancer.gov/PublishedContent/Images/images/spacer.gif)
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121006182734im_/http://www.cancer.gov/PublishedContent/Images/images/spacer.gif)
See the online booklet What You Need To Know About™ Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers to learn about melanoma symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and questions to ask the doctor.
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121006182734im_/http://www.cancer.gov/PublishedContent/Images/images/spacer.gif)
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121006182734im_/http://www.cancer.gov/PublishedContent/Images/images/spacer.gif)
See the online booklet What You Need To Know About™ Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers to learn about melanoma symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and questions to ask the doctor.
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Treatment
Information about treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and vaccine therapy- Melanoma Treatment
[ patient ] [ health professional ] - Clinical Trials to Treat Melanoma
- Intraocular (Eye) Melanoma Treatment
[ patient ] [ health professional ] - Clinical Trials to Treat Intraocular (Eye) Melanoma
- Drugs Approved for Melanoma
- New Therapies Offer Much-Needed Options for Patients with Melanoma
- Metastatic Cancer
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[ patient ] [ health professional ]
[ patient ] [ health professional ]
Prevention, Genetics, Causes
Information related to prevention, genetics, risk factors- Skin Cancer Prevention
[ patient ] [ health professional ] - Genetics of Skin Cancer
[ health professional ] - Clinical Trials to Prevent Melanoma
- Common Moles, Dysplastic Nevi, and Risk of Melanoma
- Regular Sunscreen Use May Reduce Invasive Melanoma Risk
- Anyone Can Get Skin Cancer
- Melanoma Risk Assessment Tool
- Understanding Gene Testing
- Cancer Genetics Services Directory
[ patient ] [ health professional ]
[ health professional ]
Screening and Testing
Information about methods of cancer detection including new imaging technologies, tumor markers, and biopsy procedures- Skin Cancer Screening
[ patient ] [ health professional ] - Interpreting Laboratory Test Results
[ patient ] [ health professional ]