Stanford Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Program
Part of Stanford Medicine Cancer Center
Leaders in Pigmented Lesion (mole) and Melanoma Treatment
The Stanford Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Program provides precision care for individuals diagnosed with cutaneous and metastatic melanoma, as well as those at increased risk of melanoma based on mole pattern and family history. We provide initial multi-disciplinary evaluation, coordinated treatment and ongoing surveillance for patients with cutaneous (skin) and more advanced melanoma. We treat adult and pediatric patients in partnership with Stanford’s Skin Cancer Program.
What We Offer You for Melanoma Care
- Specialized expertise from leaders in melanoma care who have helped create national guidelines to detect and treat melanoma, so that a cure is more likely. Go to Conditions Treated
- Advanced treatment options for all stages of melanoma, including wide excision, Mohs micrographic surgery, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and other surgical techniques, immunotherapy, targeted molecular therapy, and intratumoral therapy. Go to Treatments
- Clinical trials for metastatic melanoma and research to identify genetic mutations that increase risk for melanoma and other skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Go to Clinical Trials
- Team-based approach with tumor boards that bring together dermatologists, dermatopathologists, surgical oncologists, head and neck surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, cancer geneticists, and experts in cancer survivorship to tailor care to your needs. Go to Your Care Team
- Comprehensive support services so you can focus on health and healing, including one of the nation’s few dermato-oncology clinics to manage skin-related side effects related to cancer therapy. Go to Support Services
- Ease of access, with simultaneous cutaneous, surgical, and medical oncology clinics so you can see several specialists on the same day, at 2 convenient locations in Palo Alto and San Jose. Go to Accessing Care
Cutaneous melanoma (melanoma of the skin) is a serious and potentially aggressive form of skin cancer. It arises from the pigment-producing cells, called melanocytes, which are most commonly located in the skin. Melanocytes can also give rise to melanoma in the eyes and mucosal areas (mouth, nose, anogenital regions). Cutaneous melanoma can develop anywhere on the body, in people of any age, although those with fair skin, sensitivity to the sun, lots of sun exposure, and/or many moles are at highest risk.
Pigmented lesions (moles) can be cancerous or noncancerous. Stanford’s skilled physicians have the expertise and advanced tools to identify concerning skin lesions quickly and precisely. Stanford dermatologists have partnered with experts in computer science and artificial intelligence to design a computer algorithm that can detect skin cancer and melanoma and accurately differentiate them from noncancerous tumors.
In partnership with Stanford Dermatopathology and Pathology, our Skin Cancer Program uses advanced techniques to aid in melanoma diagnosis. We analyze genetic mutations (abnormalities) that may determine melanoma risk in your family. We also test for gene mutations in the melanoma tumor melanoma tumor to determine which therapies are best for you. Our integrated team of dermatologists, dermatopathologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, genetic counselors, and researchers works with you to create a personalized care plan.
Our pigmented lesion and melanoma experts treat conditions including:
Through our Wipe Out Melanoma - California Program, we’re reaching out to people at high risk of melanoma to detect dangerous skin cancers in their earliest stages.
Melanoma
Pediatric Melanoma
Atypical Moles
We diagnose and treat all stages of melanoma, from those that aren't invasive beyond the skin to those that involve the lymph nodes or other organs of the body.
- Eyelid cancer
- Melanoma, including:
- Cutaneous melanoma (primary melanoma of all subtypes)
- Regional melanoma involving lymph nodes
- Distant metastatic melanoma
- Mucosal melanoma (including nasopharyngeal, oral, and anogenital types)
- Ocular (uveal) melanoma (eye cancer)
While melanoma is rare in children and adolescents, the Stanford Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Program has ample experience in providing a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment.
We participate in a national Pediatric Melanoma and Atypical Melanocytic Neoplasm registry to help improve treatment of young people with this disease. Our melanoma team partners with pediatric dermatologists, surgeons, and oncologists at Stanford Children's Hospital to provide melanoma treatment for children and adolescents.
The medical term for a mole (a tan or brown spot or slightly raised bump on the skin) is nevus or pigmented lesion. Your mole pattern (phenotype) helps determine your risk for melanoma. Individual moles don’t usually become cancerous, but people with many moles or atypical nevi have higher risk, especially if they have a lighter skin tone and lots of sun exposure.
At Stanford, we carefully monitor people with these mole patterns to catch any cancerous lesions early. Our upcoming state-of-the art total body imaging system will track and map moles, enabling us to detect small changes that signal possible cancer. We are also investigating the use of artificial intelligence smartphone apps to diagnose melanoma in its earliest, most curable forms.
- Atypical melanocytic lesions
- Atypical mole pattern (phenotype)
- Atypical Spitz tumors
We diagnose and treat all stages of melanoma, from those that aren't invasive beyond the skin to those that involve the lymph nodes or other organs of the body.
- Eyelid cancer
- Melanoma, including:
- Cutaneous melanoma (primary melanoma of all subtypes)
- Regional melanoma involving lymph nodes
- Distant metastatic melanoma
- Mucosal melanoma (including nasopharyngeal, oral, and anogenital types)
- Ocular (uveal) melanoma (eye cancer)
close Melanoma
While melanoma is rare in children and adolescents, the Stanford Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Program has ample experience in providing a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment.
We participate in a national Pediatric Melanoma and Atypical Melanocytic Neoplasm registry to help improve treatment of young people with this disease. Our melanoma team partners with pediatric dermatologists, surgeons, and oncologists at Stanford Children's Hospital to provide melanoma treatment for children and adolescents.
close Pediatric Melanoma
The medical term for a mole (a tan or brown spot or slightly raised bump on the skin) is nevus or pigmented lesion. Your mole pattern (phenotype) helps determine your risk for melanoma. Individual moles don’t usually become cancerous, but people with many moles or atypical nevi have higher risk, especially if they have a lighter skin tone and lots of sun exposure.
At Stanford, we carefully monitor people with these mole patterns to catch any cancerous lesions early. Our upcoming state-of-the art total body imaging system will track and map moles, enabling us to detect small changes that signal possible cancer. We are also investigating the use of artificial intelligence smartphone apps to diagnose melanoma in its earliest, most curable forms.
- Atypical melanocytic lesions
- Atypical mole pattern (phenotype)
- Atypical Spitz tumors
close Atypical Moles
Stanford’s skin cancer experts diagnose and treat melanoma with precision. Our cutaneous oncology/dermatology specialists work to detect melanoma at its earliest stages and monitor patients at increased risk of developing melanoma based on skin type, sun exposure, or mole pattern.
Our doctors have helped establish national evidence-based treatment guidelines and are leaders in melanoma prevention and scientific research to understand who develops melanoma and why. We also provide the most advanced therapies, such as immunology and targeted therapy, to treat later stages of melanoma, and we offer in numerous clinical trials to increase the chances of cure.
For people who have or are at risk for melanoma, we are here for you throughout the spectrum of disease, from prevention through survivorship, including genetic counseling about your risk.
For many people, surgery remains the first and best treatment. Our surgeons are exceptionally skilled in all types of melanoma surgery, including wide excision of the primary (skin) melanoma, which can be done be a dermatology surgeon or surgical oncologist.
Recent advances in immune-based and targeted therapies offer hope for late stage melanoma.
Innovation Highlight
- Stanford is taking part in a National Cancer Institute-sponsored early phase chemoprevention consortium, studying medications, vitamins, supplements, and other agents that may prevent melanoma from developing.
- We are piloting technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and your smartphone to recognize malignant (cancerous) lesions on your skin. Learn More
- We are studying individuals with more than one melanoma to understand the genetics that contribute to melanoma. Studies like these will help us identify at-risk people to enable early screening and help prevent skin cancer.
- We are leading the Melanoma Community Registry of California and Wipe Out Melanoma – California efforts to implement a state-wide public health program to reduce melanoma incidence and improve early detection efforts through community-based education, activism, and research.
Screening and Prevention
Stanford dermatologists have a high level of expertise in evaluating and monitoring atypical moles and lesions to detect possible cancer early, when it is most treatable. We use all available tools, including planned state-of-the-art imaging technologies to map moles and detect changes that can indicate cancer.
Diagnosis for pigmented lesions or melanoma
Our cancer specialists assess for suspicious moles on your body to determine whether to take a skin biopsy (small sample of cells). If our clinicians or your outside doctors diagnose a melanoma, we discuss your options to identify the most promising treatment path.
- Dermoscopy (dermatoscopy)
- Mole mapping
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy
- Lymph node dissection vs. nodal ultrasound surveillance
- Positron emission tomography (PET) combined with computed tomography (CT) for melanoma staging and surveillance
- Wide excision by surgical oncologists or dermatologic surgeons
Genetic testing
Having a family history of melanoma or a confirmed gene mutation related to melanoma may increase your risk. Our Skin Cancer Genetics Program tests for multiple genes to help determine your risk of developing additional skin melanomas or other cancers that can be linked to melanoma. We may also do genetic testing on melanoma tissue to identify a tumor’s particular genetic makeup to determine the best prevention and treatment.
- Genetic assessment for melanoma
- Genomic tumor profiling
- Skin cancer genetics
Treatments
Stanford provides the complete range of melanoma treatments, including surgery, medications, clinical trials, radiation therapy, and other advanced procedures for cancer that has spread. We evaluate each case individually to deliver customized, compassionate care and provide treatment for skin-related side effects in our Supportive Dermato-Oncology Clinic. Our doctors, advanced practice providers, and nurse coordinators are dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes, while minimizing and managing treatment-related side effects. Stanford dermatologists are located throughout the Bay Area to help monitor and/or co-manage your melanoma or moles.
Surgery
We perform surgery for most melanomas, to remove the tumor and a margin of normal skin around it. For thicker cutaneous (skin) tumors, we also perform lymphatic mapping and biopsy of nearby lymph nodes to see if cells have spread from the original skin site. This procedure is called the sentinel lymph node biopsy. Learn more about Surgery for Melanoma.
- Wide excision
- People with thinner/early melanomas can usually be managed with surgery under local anesthesia. These patients can often be seen in the Stanford Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma and Stanford Dermatology Surgery clinics for same-day evaluation and treatment, as desired.
- Mohs micrographic surgery
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy
- Lymph node dissection (vs. regional nodal ultrasound surveillance)
- Metastasectomy
Medical therapy
Medical therapy uses medications that travel through your body to attack cancer cells. Stanford doctors continually discover new ways to treat melanoma at all stages, helping more people survive the disease. Melanoma treatment has shown remarkable progress over the past decade, with novel therapies, known as immunotherapy or immune checkpoint blockade, that enhance the body’s immune system to fight cancer. Other therapies target mutations on the tumor cells to kill melanoma cells and promote cure.
- Immunotherapy
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors
- Intratumoral immune-based therapy
- Topical medications, sometimes used for superficial melanoma on the head, neck, and other sun-exposed sites
- Targeted therapy, mainly for BRAF-mutated melanoma
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is not commonly used for melanoma of the skin, although it can be used after surgery to prevent local recurrence of the desmoplastic melanoma subtype. We use stereotactic radiosurgical techniques such as CyberKnife for people with cancer that has metastasized (spread) to the brain. Our clinical trials are exploring the effects of combining radiation therapy with immunotherapy.
- External beam radiation
- 3D conformal radiation therapy
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy
- Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR/SBRT)
- CyberKnife
Treatments by Type
We evaluate your history and current health condition carefully, using mole mapping and digital imaging, biopsy results, and genetic testing to inform the best options for management and ongoing care. You usually see all the doctors you need in one place, with as few appointments as possible. We’ll discuss your best options, from diagnosis through treatment and survivorship.
Treatments for thin melanomas
Thinner melanomas can often be managed with local surgery alone. You may be able to visit the Stanford Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma and Stanford Dermatology Surgery clinics for same-day evaluation and surgical treatment. Stanford Dermatology clinics are located throughout the Bay Area, from Emeryville to Livermore to San Jose.
Treatment and care paths
Learn more about the treatment and care paths for:
Clinical Trials
As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may be eligible to participate in clinical trials. Open trials refer to studies that are currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future. We also participate in multi-center therapeutic prevention trials supported by the National Cancer Institute to explore medications that can prevent melanoma from developing.
Your Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Care Team
Stanford offers one of the nation’s most comprehensive programs for cutaneous (skin) melanoma diagnosis and care. Our dermatologists, available throughout the Bay Area, treat pigmented lesions and identify melanoma. For most melanomas, surgery is the first line of treatment. The rest of your care team is customized to your needs, based on the melanoma’s stage and recommended treatment.
Your Doctors and Providers
Dermatologists
These physicians specialize in treating cancerous and noncancerous conditions that affect the skin. Dermatologists diagnose and treat moles and various skin cancers, including melanomas.
View All {0} DermatologistsDermatology Surgeons
Dermatologic surgeons remove skin cancer and other lesions. Early melanomas can usually be managed with local surgery alone. Our surgeons use conventional wide excision and specialized techniques, such as Moh's micrographic surgery, to treat your condition.
View All {0} Dermatologic SurgeonsCutaneous Oncologists
Cutaneous oncologists are dermatologists with expertise in prevention, early detection, and management of melanoma and other complex skin cancers. They work with the rest of your care team to provide specialized recommendations for diagnosing and treating tumors that develop in the skin and managing treatment-related side effects of the skin (from any cancer). Cutaneous oncologists work with other oncology specialists in the Stanford Cancer Center. If you don’t have metastatic disease, they often serve as your main health care provider, coordinating your treatment among additional specialists as needed.
View All {0} Cutaneous Oncology SpecialistsSurgical Oncologists
These surgeons specialize in treating skin cancer through wide excision, sentinel lymph node biopsy, lymph node dissection, and metastasectomy. Dedicated head & neck and plastic surgeons provide specific expertise in removing tumors in these locations.
View All {0} Surgical OncologistsMedical Oncologists
These cancer doctors have specialized training in diagnosing and treating melanoma using systemic medications, including targeted therapy and immunotherapy, which have largely replaced chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Medical oncologists often serve as your main health care provider if you have metastatic disease, coordinating your treatment among other specialists as needed.
View All {0} Medical OncologistsSupportive Dermato-Oncologists
These dermatology cancer specialists work in the Stanford Cancer Center, at multiple locations, to address skin problems related to treating melanoma and all other cancers. In our revolutionary, full-time clinic, dermato-oncologists diagnose and manage complications of cancer therapy including drug-induced rashes, dermatitis (skin irritation) from radiation and other therapies, and infections that can involve the skin. By addressing your skin side effects early, our Supportive Dermato-Oncology Clinic can help prevent reductions or breaks in your medication, to optimize your cancer care.
View All {0} Dermato-oncology SpecialistsDermatopathologists
These doctors have special training in examining tissue samples of the skin to detect or rule out cancer. For melanoma, dermatopathologists work closely with dermatologists and cutaneous/surgical/medical oncologists to determine the type and stage of cancer. Stanford cytopathologists may see you in the clinic to perform a bedside biopsy, called a fine needle aspiration (FNA), of any suspicious lymph nodes or nodules in the skin.
View All {0} DermatopathologistsPediatric Dermatologists
Pediatric dermatologists have additional training and expertise in evaluating and treating skin conditions in children, including melanoma. They work with the Stanford Cancer Center cutaneous, surgical, and medical oncologists to coordinate care for pediatric and adolescent patients with melanoma.
View All {0} Pediatric DermatologistsRadiation Oncologists
These cancer specialists have subspecialty training in using high-energy X-rays and other types of radiation therapy to destroy cancer or prevent its spread. Our radiation oncologists use advanced technologies to target cancer cells precisely, to avoid damaging nearby healthy tissue.
View All {0} Radiation OncologistsRadiologists
These specialists perform and read imaging tests, including X-ray, ultrasound, CT, PET-CT, and MRI, to detect tumors and diagnose cancer. Radiologists interpret imaging results and take biopsies, as needed, to help confirm a diagnosis.
View All {0} RadiologistsClinical Partnerships
Stanford’s Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Program provides comprehensive care through all stages of diagnosis and treatment. We have close clinical partnerships with other Stanford programs, including:
- Dermatology Clinic
- Melanoma Surgery Clinic
- Mohs Surgery Clinic
- Pediatric Dermatology at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital
- The Stanford Cutaneous Oncology/Skin Cancer Program promotes research and state-of-the-art treatment for all skin cancer types, including melanoma and atypical melanocytic neoplasms (adult and pediatric), high-risk organ transplant-associated squamous cell carcinoma, advanced basal cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma and other solid-tumor cutaneous malignancies. Cutaneous Oncology skin cancer and Supportive Dermato-Oncology clinics are held in the Stanford Cancer Center in Palo Alto (CCPA), located at 900 Blake Wilbur Drive, 3rd floor and the Cancer Center South Bay (CCSB) in San Jose.
- Wipe Out Melanoma – California
Stanford is an Academic Medical Center, which is a type of hospital setting where doctors teach the entire spectrum of medical education. Students range from beginning medical students to fully licensed and practicing doctors completing advanced sub-specialty training. Stanford Medicine is a partnership between Stanford University School of Medicine and Stanford Health Care. Since Stanford is a teaching hospital, you can expect to meet many providers and providers in training.
- Attending Physician: a doctor who supervises doctors in training or in medical school
- Fellow: a doctor doing postgraduate level work and specializing in care of patients with specific conditions
- Resident: a doctor who has graduated from medical school and is in training (also called “residency”) here at Stanford. A resident is also called an intern
- Medical Student: a student who is currently enrolled in medical school with the goal of becoming a doctor
Extended Care Team
Our oncology-certified health care provider works with your oncologist to help with diagnosis and treatment. APPs may recommend medications, lifestyle changes, and services such as genetic counseling. An APP can be a nurse practitioner (NP), physician assistant (PA), or clinical nurse specialist (CNS).
Doctors and counselors in our Cancer Genetics Program, which includes a skin cancer genetics clinic, can help you and your family understand any inherited risk for melanoma or other tumors. They explain and provide available genetic tests. They can also discuss prevention, screening, and treatment options.
These registered nurses provide one-on-one support throughout your care journey. They help you navigate from your first contact with us to follow-up care, assessing your needs, answering your questions, making referrals, coordinating appointments, and providing education.
Care coordinators provide you with information and assistance before and during your appointments.
- Medical Assistants take you to your exam room after you check in for your appointments. They check your vital signs before your doctor sees you.
- New Patient Coordinators contact you before your first appointment and help you prepare by providing the information you need to know and bring with you.
- Patient Access Representatives greet you at the front desk and register you for your appointments.
- ITA Schedulers schedule your appointments if you have apheresis (a specific type of blood transfusion) or chemotherapy.
- Surgery Schedulers call you to arrange the details for meeting with a surgical oncologist or reconstruction surgeon or for having surgery.
Nutritionists can work with you to establish an eating plan that meets your nutritional needs. They can help plan ways to stay strong during treatment with systemic medications like immunotherapy or chemotherapy.
If you qualify for a clinical trial, our research coordinators guide you through the process. They educate you about what to expect during the study, answer your questions, and schedule your appointments.
Support Services
As part of your care, we design a personalized wellness plan to support your comfort before, during, and after treatment, and to help your family cope with the effects of having a loved one in cancer treatment.
With just one call to Cancer Care Services, you and your loved ones can speak with a specially trained nurse who can help assess your needs and connect you to the support services that are right for you. Contact Cancer Care Services for your personal support plan.
We also offer other support services including:
- Palliative Medicine
- Psycho-Oncology: Psychiatrists and Psychologists
- Sleep Clinic
- Spiritual Care
- Stanford Health Library
- Support Groups, Classes, and Workshops
- Wigs and Cosmetic Support
Our clinics in Palo Alto, Redwood City, and San Jose are designed for your convenience. With streamlined check-in, same-day appointments to see multiple specialists and comprehensive medical and support services under one roof, you have easy access to care.
Frequently Asked Questions
We participate in a wide range of insurance plans. View the list of insurance plans accepted by Stanford Health Care
Have insurance or pre-authorization questions? The Patient Financial Clearance team is available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., to answer your questions. Please call 650-724-4445 or 1-877-291-7335 (toll free).
When choosing a doctor, it’s important to consider the doctor’s clinical training, experience and expertise in a specialized area that matches your health care needs.
You can find the right Stanford doctor for you by using our doctor directory and filtering the results based on a medical category, specialty, or doctor’s last name. View our list of doctors
Yes, Stanford Health Care offers financial assistance for patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Meet with one of our financial counselors to find the best approach to paying for your health care. Financial counselors are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Learn more about financial assistance services
We offer a number of support services for pigmented lesions and melanoma including support groups, interpreter services, nutrition services, a health library, and a variety of classes and events. Learn more about our support services »
In most cases, you can call the clinic directly to schedule an appointment with a Stanford Health Care doctor. Call Stanford Primary Care to schedule an appointment:
For Palo Alto, call 650-498-6000
For San Jose, call 408-426-4900
For your first appointment, you should plan to bring any related test results, your medical history, and any other medical data to share with your health care team. Our clinic receptionists will confirm the any additional information you should bring with you prior to your first appointment.
You will also need to have the following information with you when you check in:
- Insurance card
- A form of payment for any co-pays or deductibles
- One form of photo ID:
- Valid state-issued driver’s license
- Valid state-issued ID card
- Valid passport
- Valid U.S. Military ID card
- Valid U.S. Permanent Resident Card
Please print, fill out, and return the Medical Record Release Form to your new patient coordinator. The medical release form is an authorization form for external facilities to release medical records to Stanford Health Care.
Always feel free to bring someone with you to your appointments. A family member or friend can help ask questions, remember the information your care team gives you, and provide support.
Write down your questions before your appointment and rank them in order of importance, beginning with the most important ones. If there isn’t enough time to have all your questions answered during your appointment, ask your doctor who you can speak with to get your other questions answered.
You have multiple options when it comes to paying your bill.
- Pay Online:
- You can log in to MyHealth or the MyHealth mobile app to see and pay your bill.
Already have an account but need help logging in?
Contact the MyHealth Help Desk
- You can also pay as a guest to pay your bill without logging in.
- Pay by mail:
- Stanford Health Care
P.O. Box 740715, Los Angeles, CA 90074-0715
Los Angeles, CA 90074-0715
- Stanford Health Care
- Pay by Phone:
- You can call our Patient Billing Customer Service Office
1-800-549-3720.
- You can call our Patient Billing Customer Service Office
For our latest business hours and for more information about billing, visit our Billing page.
We offer a number of support services, including support groups, interpreter services, nutrition services, a health library, and a variety of classes and events. Learn more about our support services
Please call our clinic receptionists to cancel or reschedule your appointment.
For Palo Alto, call 650-498-6000
For San Jose, call 408-426-4900
To determine if a clinical trial is right for you, talk to your doctor. He or she can refer you to a research coordinator for more information on studies that may be right for your specific condition.
You can also find the guidelines for who can participate in a particular clinical trial online. However, it is best to work with your doctor to decide the right care approach for your needs.
Many of our programs are available to international patients.
Our International Medicine Services team can help you find the right doctor, estimate medical costs, book travel, and get you information about Stanford programs and services.
Please call +1 650-723-8561 or email IMS@stanfordhealthcare.org to get started.
For Palo Alto, call 650-498-6000
For San Jose, call 408-426-4900
For the Moh's Micrographic and Dermatologic Surgery Clinic in Redwood City, call 650-725-5272