Melanoma

Facing a melanoma diagnosis can be overwhelming and leave you with many questions. At Columbia, we are here to support you at every step. From diagnosis to survivorship, we offer personalized, compassionate care backed by the latest treatments and research.

Our dedicated Melanoma Center is one of the few of its kind in the region, bringing together experts across every type of melanoma to provide highly specialized care for the whole person. With access to world-class care and the latest scientific discoveries, we offer treatment that is cutting-edge, personalized, and built around you.

What is Melanoma?

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that starts in melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin—the pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their color.

Melanoma most often begins on the skin but can also appear in the eye (ocular melanoma) or mucous membranes (mucosal melanoma). While less common than other skin cancers, melanoma is one of the most dangerous and is among the most common cancers diagnosed in young adults.

Each year, more than 100,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with melanoma. Melanoma is more common in men than women, especially after age 50. Thanks to major advances in treatment and screenings for early detection, death rates from melanoma have dropped significantly in recent years.