University of California San Francisco | About UCSF | UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital
Search Site | Find a Doctor
Melanoma Center

The UCSF Melanoma Center provides consultations and treatment for all stages of melanoma, from early lesions to late-stage disease.

Newly diagnosed patients and those who have suffered a recurrence of melanoma receive a comprehensive evaluation, including a review of medical history, physical exam, pathology assessment of a biopsy specimen, psychosocial interview and recommendations for an individualized plan of treatment and follow-up.

In addition to access to doctors devoted exclusively to melanoma, UCSF is home to many of the nation's top experts in dermatopathology and genetic analysis, whose findings help develop the most effective, personalized treatment for each patient. Our patients also have access to clinical trials. There are at least 10 melanoma clinical trials underway at any given time at UCSF, more than any other institution in northern California. These trials not only lay the groundwork for future treatments, they also play a key role in caring for patients today.

Referrals — Patients referred to the center for the first time are seen by Dr. Susana Ortiz-Urda, a dermatologist and co-director of the UCSF Melanoma Center. See referral information below or contact the center at (415) 353-9900 or melanoma@ucsfmedctr.org.

  • Show More

Those at risk of developing melanoma — such as people with a family history of melanoma and those with numerous moles or sun-damaged and sun-sensitive skin — receive complete skin evaluations, assessments of suspicious pigmented lesions and recommendations for biopsies and dermoscopy, when appropriate. Detailed education regarding changes in moles and sun exposure also is provided.

Data from thousands of melanoma cases has been entered into the center's database since its inception in 1971. This data is used as a resource during our consultations to predict the future of the disease.

For referring doctors, we provide an evaluation of pathology slides of primary melanoma. The pathology evaluation helps to establish the risk of recurrence and provide recommendations for treatment.

  • Show Less

Request an Appointment

Getting Here

Melanoma Center
1600 Divisadero St., Fourth Floor
San Francisco, CA 94115
Phone: (415) 353-9900
Fax: (415) 885-3802

Hours: Monday to Friday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Access Your Health Information Online

This clinic uses UCSF MyChart, an online patient service. Message your provider, request medication refills, view some test results and more.

Learn more about UCSF MyChart

Parking

Parking at Mount Zion

Public parking is available in two parking garages near our Mount Zion campus. One is at 1635 Divisadero St. and the other at 2420 Sutter St. Entrances to both garages are on Sutter Street, between Divisadero and Broderick streets.

The 1635 Divisadero St. garage is open from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday, and closed on weekends and major holidays. The rate is $2 each 20 minutes with a $28 daily maximum.

For more information about parking in the 1635 Divisadero St. garage, call (415) 441-5408 or visit www.1635divisaderogarage.com.

The 2420 Sutter St. garage is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Friday, and closed on weekends and UCSF holidays. The rate is $6 an hour with a $30 daily maximum. Those with a valid disabled placard receive a daily maximum rate of $12.

For more information about parking in the 2420 Sutter St. garage, call (415) 514-8935.

Other public parking garages are available nearby.

Metered street parking is rarely available.

Public Transportation

Mount Zion

UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion is accessible via the following Muni bus routes:

  • No. 2*
  • No. 38*
  • No. 4
  • No. 24

The No. 1 California bus route stops at the corner of California and Divisadero streets, which is three blocks north of Mount Zion.

For more information about Muni, visit www.sfmuni.com.

* Wheelchair accessible bus routes

UCSF Shuttles

Free UCSF shuttles travel between the Parnassus and Mount Zion campuses as well as other UCSF locations.

For more information about UCSF transportation, please call (415) 476-1511.

Referrals

New patients are seen by Dr. Susana Ortiz-Urda, a dermatologist and co-director of the UCSF Melanoma Center.

To refer a patient, please provide the following information:

  • Referral form
  • Relevant medical records including results for X-rays and MRIs.
  • Express mail laboratory slides and accompanying pathology reports

Please fax the referral form and medical records to:

Patrick Tang, practice assistant
UCSF Melanoma Center
Fax: (415) 885-3802

Please express mail laboratory slides and reports to:
UCSF Dermatopathology
1701 Divisadero St., Suite 350
San Francisco, CA 94115
Phone: (415) 353-7546
Toll-free: (800) 497-0244
Fax: (415) 353-7543
Please indicate that you need a "RUSHED" reading, which generally takes a day or two.

Patients with high-risk melanoma (stage 2B and above) are seen at:
Melanoma Center
1600 Divisadero St., Fourth Floor
San Francisco, CA 94115

Patients with low-risk melanoma (MIS, stage 1A, 1B, 2A) are seen at:
Dermatology
1701 Divisadero St., Second Floor
San Francisco CA 94115

See more information about requesting an appointment.

Related Information

Ways to Give

Condition Information

Key Treatments

Clinic Team

Susana Ortiz-Urda
Dr. Susana Ortiz-Urda,
dermatologist and melanoma specialist
Alain Algazi
Dr. Alain Algazi,
melanoma specialist
Michael Alvarado
Dr. Michael Alvarado,
breast cancer and melanoma surgeon
Sarah Arron
Dr. Sarah Arron,
dermatologic surgeon
Adil I. Daud
Dr. Adil I. Daud,
melanoma specialist
Roy C. Grekin
Dr. Roy C. Grekin,
dermatologic surgeon
Philip E. Leboit
Dr. Philip E. Leboit,
dermatopathologist
Timothy H. McCalmont
Dr. Timothy H. McCalmont,
dermatopathologist
Isaac M. Neuhaus
Dr. Isaac M. Neuhaus,
dermatologic surgeon
Steven J. Wang
Dr. Steven J. Wang,
head and neck surgeon
Maria L. Wei
Dr. Maria L. Wei,
dermatologist
Siegrid S. Yu
Dr. Siegrid S. Yu,
dermatologic surgeon