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

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    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...

    Statistical analysis of this study is primarily descriptive and exploratory. An "intent to treat" analysis will be conducted mainly using the log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier to compare hazard rates. Other parametric and nonparametr...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Study of RP1 Monotherapy and RP1 in Combination With Nivolumab

    Percentage of subjects with adverse events (AEs)

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

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

    RFS is defined as time from registration to recurrence of disease or death from any cause.

    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

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

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Study of Efficacy and Safety of Novel Spartalizumab Combinations in Patients With Previously Tr...

    ORR defined as the proportion of patients with a best overall response of either confirmed complete response or confirmed partial response (as per local review and according to RECIST v1.1)

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    A Phase Ib Study of LXH254-centric Combinations in NSCLC or Melanoma

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

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

    The rate of completion of all adjuvant therapy by patients treated at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) schedule will be determined and compared to a historical control rate of 52%.

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

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

    Treatment-related adverse events as assessed by CTCAE v4.03

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Testing Docetaxel-Cetuximab or the Addition of an Immunotherapy Drug, Atezolizumab, to the Usua...

    Estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method for each arm. Their distributions will be compared between treatment arms with a one-sided log rank test.

    Recruiting

    Rankings & achievements

    • usnews-neurology

      Best hospital in Northern California

    • Best in Northern California in 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.

      Learn more

    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    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 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 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.

    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."

    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.

    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 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

    Your Doctor Visit

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

    Learn more

    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

    Psycho-Oncology

    Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building

    1600 Divisadero St.
    San Francisco, CA 94115

    (415) 353-7019

    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]

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