DermatologyCancer

Melanoma & Skin Cancer Program

(415) 353-7817

The UCSF Melanoma and Skin Cancer Program provides advanced care for patients with all stages of melanoma, from early-stage melanomas to advanced metastatic cancer, as well as other types of skin cancer. These include squamous cell carcinomas, basal cell carcinomas and Merkel cell carcinomas. We also care for patients who are at higher risk of developing melanoma due to their family history, genetic mutations or having many abnormal moles. Our team includes dermatologists, medical and surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists and dermatopathologists, all of whom specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.

Our program is part of the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, designated a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute since 1999. This designation recognizes centers that provide full-spectrum, cutting-edge cancer care.

UCSF dermatopathologists test patients' melanomas for genetic mutations – such as BRAF, NRAS, KIT, GNAQ and GNA11– to help us target treatments to specific mutations. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy and immunotherapy. Our various specialists meet for a weekly "tumor board" to evaluate complex cases and make treatment recommendations.

We perform skin exams using dermatoscopes, handheld instruments that allow us to distinguish cancerous lesions from noncancerous lesions with greater accuracy. We may also use digital dermoscopic photography – photographs taken with the dermatoscope – to closely track suspicious lesions over time.

UCSF has been on the forefront of recent breakthroughs in the treatment of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers. As a patient, you may be offered the option of participating in clinical trials.

Our locations

Expand Map

    Patient education

    FAQ: Melanoma

    Commonly asked questions regarding Melanoma including, general information, seriousness, causes, malignancy, cure and prevention, and more.

    Conditions we treat

    Our team

    Decorative Caduceus

    Intraoperative Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Breast Cancer Undergoing Breast-Cons...

    This phase IV trial studies the side effects of intraoperative radiation therapy and how well it works in treating patients with breast cancer undergoing breast-conserving surgery. Delivering radiation one time to th...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Study of Adjuvant Ipilimumab and Nivolumab in Subjects With High-risk Ocular Melanoma

    This is an open-label, multi-site, single-arm Phase 2 study of adjuvant nivolumab combined with ipilimumab for the treatment of adult subjects with completely treated high-risk ocular melanoma, as defined in eligibil...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Prostaglandin Inhibition and Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Melanoma

    This phase II trial studies how well pembrolizumab, ipilimumab, and aspirin work in treating patients with melanoma that has spread to other places in the body or cannot be removed by surgery. Monoclonal antibodies, ...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Nivolumab + Chemoradiation in Stage II-IVB Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC)

    This phase II trial studies how well nivolumab and chemoradiotherapy works in treating patients with stage II-IVB nasopharyngeal cancer. Monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab, may block tumor growth in different w...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    A Study to Evaluate The Efficacy And Safety Of RO7198457 In Combination With Pembrolizumab Vers...

    This study will evaluate the efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of RO7198457 plus pembrolizumab compared with pembrolizumab alone in patients with previously untreated advanced m...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Pembrolizumab With and Without Radiotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

    This is a randomized single-institution, phase II, open-label clinical trial of neoadjuvant pembrolizumab with or without low-dose stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) in stage I-IIIA non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) pa...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    A Study of XmAb®20717 in Subjects With Selected Advanced Solid Tumors

    This is a Phase 1, multiple dose, ascending dose escalation study to define a MTD/RD and regimen of XmAb20717, to describe safety and tolerability, to assess PK and immunogenicity, and to preliminarily assess anti-tu...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    PF-06651600 for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

    This is a global Phase 2b/3 study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational study drug (called PF-06651600) in adults and adolescents (12 years and older) who have 50% or greater scalp hair loss....

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Clinical Study of CMP-001 in Combination With Pembrolizumab or as a Monotherapy

    This study will be conducted in two parts: Part 1 will be conducted using a Dose Escalation and Expansion design. The Part 1 Dose Escalation Phase of this study will identify a safe and tolerable dose to be further e...

    Recruiting

    Awards & recognition

    • usnews-neurology

      Best hospital in Northern California

    • n8-2x

      Ranked No. 12 in the nation for cancer care

    • NIH-2x

      Designated comprehensive cancer center

    • 600-2x

      melanoma patients seen each year

    Support services

    Support Group

    Art for Recovery

    Creativity can help people with serious illnesses cope, heal and express what they're going through. Find out about our program and how to join.

    Fitness

    Cancer Exercise Counseling

    Our one-on-one exercise training sessions, customized for your needs and abilities, can complement other cancer treatments and speed your recovery.

    Support Group

    Cancer Support Groups

    Support groups held by the Ida and Joseph Friend Cancer Resource Center are free and available to all patients, whether or not you get your health care at UCSF.

    Fitness

    Core and More Class

    A strong body helps you fight cancer and enjoy life. Join this class to stabilize your core, strengthen your muscles and improve overall fitness. For cancer patients and caregivers!

    Patient Resource

    Friend to Friend Gift Shop

    A one-stop boutique for patients with cancer. Get professional help with wigs, prostheses, sun-protective clothing, makeup, skin care and more.

    Fitness

    Healing Through Dance Class

    Use movement, expression, imagery and creativity to enhance your own healing. Open to all cancer patients (including non-UCSF) and their caregivers.

    Class

    Meditation and Guided Imagery for Cancer Patients

    Drop in for a free class designed to help you heal, relax and find balance during your treatment. UCSF and non-UCSF patients are welcome.

    Patient Resource

    Oncology Social Work

    Social workers can be key members of your cancer care team. Reach out for support, problem solving and help accessing UCSF's many cancer-related resources.

    Patient Resource

    Patient and Family Cancer Support Center

    You'll find support groups, classes, a library, treatment information, special events and much more to promote wellness and healing for patients and families.

    Support Group

    Peer Support Program for Cancer

    Patients are matched with peer support volunteers according to criteria such as diagnosis, cancer stage, age or gender. Speak to someone who's "been there."

    Patient Resource

    Psycho-Oncology

    The Psycho-Oncology program offers emotional and supportive care to patients of the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and their families.

    Fitness

    Restorative Movement Class

    Explore simple movements that help you feel more powerful and comfortable in your body. This fun and free UCSF class is aimed at those in recovery from cancer.

    Patient Resource

    Spa Infusion

    Pamper yourself while fighting cancer. Free treatments for patients receiving chemotherapy at our Mount Zion campus include massage, acupressure and more.

    International Services

    If you live in another country and are coming to UCSF for medical
    treatment, our patient liaisons can help coordinate all aspects of your visit.

    Learn more

    Interpreters

    UCSF offers language services at no charge for patients with limited
    English, as well as for patients who are deaf or have trouble hearing.

    Learn more

    Hospital Stays

    Checking into the hospital? Find helpful information by clicking on the relevant “Your Hospital Stay” booklet: Mission Bay, Parnassus or Mount
    Zion.

    Learn more
    10 ways to get the most from your doctor visit

    Your Doctor Visit

    See our top 10 tips for making your UCSF doctor’s appointment as stress-free and productive as possible.

    Learn more
    Preparing for your appointment

    What to Bring

    • Photo I.D.
    • Health insurance card
    • Insurance authorization, if required
    • Doctor's referral, if required
    • Recent test results related to your condition
    • List of your medications, including dosages, plus any you're allergic to
    • List of questions you may have
    • Device or paper for taking notes

    Guides and forms

    Related clinics

    Melanoma Surgery Clinic

    Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building

    1825 Fourth Street, Third Floor
    San Francisco, CA 94158

    (415) 353-9900

    High-Risk Skin Cancer Clinic

    1701 Divisadero St., Third Floor
    San Francisco, CA 94143-0316

    (415) 353-7878

    Cancer Survivorship and Wellness Institute

    Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building

    1600 Divisidero St., Fourth Floor
    San Francisco, CA 94115

    (415) 514-2880

    Our research initiatives

    • UCSF-Helen-Diller-Family-Comprehensive-Cancer-Center-Research-2x

      UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center Research

      UCSF is home to a range of research initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for cancer patients everywhere. This includes research on topics such as immunotherapy, BRCA mutations and molecular diagnostic testing.

      Learn more

    Do you need pediatric care?

    UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland
    UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital San Francisco
    UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals

    Can't find what you're looking for?

    UCSF Help Center

    (888) 689-8273
    [email protected]

    Share