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Melanoma & Skin Cancer Center

The UCSF Melanoma and Skin Cancer Program provides specialized care for patients with all stages of melanoma, from early-stage growths to advanced metastatic cancer, as well as for patients who are healthy but at higher risk of the disease due to family history, genetic mutations or having many abnormal moles. We also care for patients with other types of skin cancer, including squamous cell, basal cell and Merkel cell carcinomas.

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

Our team

Our skin cancer program brings together doctors from many specialties. Working collaboratively, they ensure our patients receive complete care that includes access to an array of treatment options. Our world-renowned team has the following types of subspecialists:

  • Medical dermatologists – who diagnose and treat a range of skin conditions
  • Surgical dermatologists – who provide surgical treatment for skin conditions
  • Dermatopathologists – experts in identifying cancers through microscopic examination of samples
  • Medical oncologists – experts in treating cancer with chemotherapy, immunotherapy and other therapies
  • Radiation oncologists – specialists in the various radiation therapies used to treat cancer
  • Surgical oncologists – specialists in surgical treatment of cancer
  • Otolaryngologists/head and neck surgeons – specialists in surgically treating head and neck cancers
  • Reconstructive surgeons – who perform procedures to repair and reshape damaged parts of the face or body

Also on our team are nurses and nurse practitioners, genetic counselors, psycho-oncologists, social workers, nutritionists and exercise counselors. All have special training in cancer care, including how to support and educate patients and their families.

Diagnosis and treatment

Our program emphasizes early diagnosis, because the earlier a skin cancer is detected, the greater the likelihood of successful treatment. We perform skin exams using dermatoscopes, handheld instruments that help us to distinguish cancerous lesions from noncancerous lesions with greater accuracy than eyes alone. We may also use digital dermoscopic photography (taking images with the dermatoscope) to closely track suspicious lesions over time.

We offer the full range of treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. When possible, we target the patient's specific cancer. Our dermatopathologists test melanomas for certain genetic mutations – such as BRAF, NRAS, KIT, GNAQ and GNA11 – to help us determine the most effective treatment for an individual patient. Our program holds a weekly tumor board meeting that allows multiple specialists to discuss complex cases and reach consensus on treatment recommendations.

Research and clinical trials

Our experts are leading clinical trials to evaluate some of the most innovative and promising new treatments for melanoma and other aggressive skin cancers. Interested patients may have the opportunity to participate.

Learn more about clinical trials and how they work.

Our locations

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    Patient education

    FAQ: Melanoma

    Learn about melanoma's causes, treatments, and prevention through our detailed FAQ, which covers the most common questions about this serious skin cancer.

    Melanoma Patient Symposium 2023

    Learn by watching UCSF experts discuss the latest developments in melanoma research and treatment.

    Melanoma Patient Symposium 2022

    Watch last year’s symposium to learn about melanoma research developments in 2022.

    Decorative Caduceus

    Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) for Early Treatment of Oligometastatic Adenoid Cystic Car...

    Assessed using RECIST v1.1 and Kaplan-Meier

    Recruiting

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    A Phase 1B/2 Study of RP1 in Solid Organ Transplant Patients With Advanced Cutaneous Malignanci...

    Assess the safety and tolerability of single-agent RP1 in solid organ transplant patients with cutaneous malignancies by incidence of subjects with treatment-emergent adverse events

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

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

    Local tumor control is defined as no recurrent tumor in the ipsilateral breast. Patients will be regularly monitored as per the individual center's policy provided this meets the minimum trial criteria for follow-up with physical ...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    A Study of PF-08046049/SGN-BB228 in Advanced Melanoma and Other Solid Tumors

    Any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical investigational participant administered a medicinal product and which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with this treatment.

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Nisin in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OCSCC)

    Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) are defined in Section 5.2.3. DLT determination will assess adverse events (AEs) graded according to CTCAE v5.0, including findings on physical exam, vital signs, laboratory testing, and spontaneous...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Binimetinib and Imatinib for Unresectable Stage III-IV KIT-Mutant Melanoma

    Defined as complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST v1.1). The ORR at stages 1 and 2 will be estimated using the method of Whitehead, and the p-values for testing the ...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Peripheral T Cell Determinants of Response and Resistance to Pembrolizumab in Melanoma

    The investigators will identify the genes predictive of response to anti-PD-1 therapy by testing for significant associations across expression rates of each gene and response/resistance, within a hurdle-Gaussian mixed-effect fram...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Addressing Taste Dysfunction With Miraculin in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Receiving Radiatio...

    The Taste Assessment is a two-item questionnaire used to determine the overall experiences of the participant taste sensation in the past 7 days; with one item asking about taste alteration and another asking about the interferenc...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Safety and Effectiveness of ABM-168 in Adults With Advanced Solid Tumors.

    Dose limiting toxicities (DLT) which defines the MTD/RP2D

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Using Nivolumab Alone or With Cabozantinib to Prevent Mucosal Melanoma Return After Surgery

    Will evaluate RFS of single agent adjuvant nivolumab plus placebo compared to the combination treatment of adjuvant nivolumab plus cabozantinib in patients with resected mucosal melanoma.

    Recruiting

    Rankings & achievements

    • U S  News and World Report badge recognizing UCSF as part of its 2024-2025 Honor Roll

      Among the top hospitals in the nation

    • Best in Northern California and No. 7 in the nation for cancer care

    • 600-2x

      melanoma patients seen each year

    Accreditations & memberships

    • National Cancer Institute

      The National Cancer Institute has designated UCSF a comprehensive cancer center, its highest ranking. This designation is awarded to centers that demonstrate scientific excellence and the ability to conduct cancer research across many disciplines.

    • Commission on Cancer

      UCSF's cancer programs have been accredited by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer (CoC) since 1933. The CoC is a consortium of groups dedicated to improving cancer patients' survival and quality of life via research, education and better medical care.

    • National Comprehensive Cancer Network

      UCSF is a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the world’s top cancer centers. The network brings together leaders in treatment and research to improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of cancer care.

    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.

    Patient Resource

    Cancer Nutrition Counseling

    UCSF Health offers free nutrition counseling to our patients with cancer, as well as nutrition seminars that are open to anyone. Learn more.

    Support Group

    Cancer Support Groups

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

    Fitness

    Core & More Class for Cancer Patients

    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 Specialty Shops

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

    Class

    Meditation & 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 offer support, problem-solving, help accessing UCSF cancer-related resources and more. Find out how to contact the social worker for your clinic.

    Patient Resource

    Patient & Family Cancer Support Center

    The center offers wellness programming, community, support groups, classes, workshops and more at no cost to people facing cancer and their loved ones.

    Support Group

    Peer Support Programs 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."

    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

    International Services

    If you live outside the United States and are coming to UCSF for medical treatment, our patient liaisons can help coordinate all aspects of your visit.

    Learn more

    Interpreting Services

    UCSF offers interpreters in various languages, including American Sign Language (ASL), as well as services for deaf, hard-of-hearing and visually impaired patients.

    Learn more

    Hospital Stays

    Make your hospital stay as smooth and comfortable as possible by finding out how to prepare and what to expect.

    Learn more

    Your Doctor Visit

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

    Learn more

    Related clinics

    High-Risk Skin Cancer Clinic

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

    Cancer Immunotherapy Toxicity Evaluation (CITE) Program

    Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building

    1825 Fourth St.
    San Francisco, CA 94158

    Cancer Survivorship and Wellness Institute

    Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building

    See both of our San Francisco locations.

    Lymphedema Clinic

    1825 Fourth St., Third Floor
    San Francisco, CA 94158

    Psycho-Oncology

    Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building

    1825 Fourth St.
    San Francisco, CA 94158

    MarinHealth Dermatology

    See our two Marin County locations and learn more about the program.

    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.

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    UCSF Help Center

    (888) 689-8273

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