› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Long Delay Between Surgery and Radiation
- This topic has 27 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 8 months ago by
sjl.
- Post
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- July 26, 2012 at 2:57 am
My husband was diagnosed with malignant melanoma of the nasal cavity in April following what was thought to be a routine procedure for an inverted pappiloma. On May 8, more surgery was performed on the nose to get clear margins and many lymph nodes were removed, one of which was malignant. They are calling it Stage3: T3c, N1, M0. He is to start radiation and then interferon but there have been many delays. A node on one lung was questionable and after being bounced around from place to place and undergoing one test after another (CT's, MRI&
My husband was diagnosed with malignant melanoma of the nasal cavity in April following what was thought to be a routine procedure for an inverted pappiloma. On May 8, more surgery was performed on the nose to get clear margins and many lymph nodes were removed, one of which was malignant. They are calling it Stage3: T3c, N1, M0. He is to start radiation and then interferon but there have been many delays. A node on one lung was questionable and after being bounced around from place to place and undergoing one test after another (CT's, MRI's, PetScan, Lung Biopsy and so on) it has been determined that he also has a primary lung cancer, non small cell squamous. Once that is removed, they will begin radiation for the melanoma on the nose and neck. The surgery isn't scheduled until August 23. The radiologist says he will see my husband 2 weeks post surgery to begin treatment. All agree that the lung needs to be taken care of first. I am scared out of my mind over the delay but the doctors will not do radiation until the lung nodule comes out (expected to have only part of the lobe removed with no further treatment necessary for the lung). It's not as though nobody has been seeing my husband in all this time. We have been seeing someone or having tests done every week somewhere since this began, with the exception of one or two nonconsecutive weeks. All test results, scans and reports have been forwarded to his melanoma specialist at the Hillman Cancer Center and he is aware of everything. What do you think of all this? My husband was scheduled to have the lung surgery on August 13 but of all things, he called today and had it changed to August 23 so he could spend more time with our son before he leaves for college and attend his nieces wedding before the surgery. Do you think that the ten day delay will matter after all of this time? I'm at my wits end with all of this, and now with him for postponing the surgery after we were finally able to get a date. he has been given a 50/50 chance on the outcome for the melanoma.
- Replies
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- July 26, 2012 at 11:08 am
Sorry for the bad news.If I was in your husbands shoes I would not delay any surgery.Get it done as soon as possible.Time very often is an enemy .Will be in my prayers.Beat the Beast. Al
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- July 26, 2012 at 11:08 am
Sorry for the bad news.If I was in your husbands shoes I would not delay any surgery.Get it done as soon as possible.Time very often is an enemy .Will be in my prayers.Beat the Beast. Al
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- July 26, 2012 at 11:08 am
Sorry for the bad news.If I was in your husbands shoes I would not delay any surgery.Get it done as soon as possible.Time very often is an enemy .Will be in my prayers.Beat the Beast. Al
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- July 26, 2012 at 4:16 pm
I'm a lurker on this board and I was moved to reply when I saw your post and it hit home with me.
My dad was diagnosed with nasal melanoma in 2007 after what they thought was a routine surgery for a nasal polyp. After the initial surgery and diagnosis we were referred to MD Anderson and he had another surgery 1 week later to get clear margins and they also removed 55 lymphnodes and one had micrometastases. He is Staged 3b. The surgery was performed endoscopically and basically removed much of his septum leaving little to no cosmetic changes. After surgery the doctors wanted to let his wounds heal before starting radiation treatments for his nose and neck. I remember he had surgery at the beginning of April and didn't start radiation treatments until early May. That means there was almost a month's time between surgery and radiation. They chose to perform 20ish radiation treatments over a 6 week period 4 times a week. During this period, we also met with the clinical oncologist @ MD Anderson and his tissue was tested for the CKit mutation and fortunately it did present the mutation. Mucosal melanoma presents the CKit mutation more often than other forms of melanoma and there are systemic treatments available to those with it. Since completing his treatment in early 2008 he has remained NED and we've gone back for routine scans every 3 months for the first 2 yrs and now every 6 months with the surgeon and he's graduated to yearly check ups with the clinical oncologist.
We were beyond fortunate and blessed with our outcome and I wish you and your husband all the best.
I can say that once treatment starts, it feels like a non-stop cycle of radiation, rest, radiation, scan, test, appt, radiation for weeks and it feels like there's hardly time for any form of "normal" in between. I understand the sense of urgency but I also see that he needs to feel normal a little longer before he takes such a big step.
Also before any radiation, doctors want to make sure your body is ready. Even your dental health is a factor because once radiation is applied near the mouth, it can affect the blood supply going to the jawbone and teeth which for any future dental procedures can be a risk. So before any radiation treatment, a dental evaluation must be performed and any dental procedures must be complete before radiation is performed. And after radiation, if any dental procedures need to be done, the dentist must be informed and sometimes an expert in oncological dentistry may be consulted.
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- July 27, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Thank you so much for your post. You have given me some hope, especially since the situations are so similar. Most of what I've read is so dismal. I don't know if my husband has the CKit mutation or not. He had blood drawn anonymously for a study at the Hillman Cancer Center and I was told that the doctor would know the results. I have asked about the CKit. We won't see this doctor again until after the lung surgey but I will be asking him again. It has been 3 months since my husband's last nasal surgery and it will be another month or two before the radiation starts. I seem to be the only one worried about the delay so I am trying to calm down. The melanoma doctor told me that if my husband wants to go to the family events to let him.
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- July 27, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Thank you so much for your post. You have given me some hope, especially since the situations are so similar. Most of what I've read is so dismal. I don't know if my husband has the CKit mutation or not. He had blood drawn anonymously for a study at the Hillman Cancer Center and I was told that the doctor would know the results. I have asked about the CKit. We won't see this doctor again until after the lung surgey but I will be asking him again. It has been 3 months since my husband's last nasal surgery and it will be another month or two before the radiation starts. I seem to be the only one worried about the delay so I am trying to calm down. The melanoma doctor told me that if my husband wants to go to the family events to let him.
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- July 27, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Thank you so much for your post. You have given me some hope, especially since the situations are so similar. Most of what I've read is so dismal. I don't know if my husband has the CKit mutation or not. He had blood drawn anonymously for a study at the Hillman Cancer Center and I was told that the doctor would know the results. I have asked about the CKit. We won't see this doctor again until after the lung surgey but I will be asking him again. It has been 3 months since my husband's last nasal surgery and it will be another month or two before the radiation starts. I seem to be the only one worried about the delay so I am trying to calm down. The melanoma doctor told me that if my husband wants to go to the family events to let him.
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- July 26, 2012 at 4:16 pm
I'm a lurker on this board and I was moved to reply when I saw your post and it hit home with me.
My dad was diagnosed with nasal melanoma in 2007 after what they thought was a routine surgery for a nasal polyp. After the initial surgery and diagnosis we were referred to MD Anderson and he had another surgery 1 week later to get clear margins and they also removed 55 lymphnodes and one had micrometastases. He is Staged 3b. The surgery was performed endoscopically and basically removed much of his septum leaving little to no cosmetic changes. After surgery the doctors wanted to let his wounds heal before starting radiation treatments for his nose and neck. I remember he had surgery at the beginning of April and didn't start radiation treatments until early May. That means there was almost a month's time between surgery and radiation. They chose to perform 20ish radiation treatments over a 6 week period 4 times a week. During this period, we also met with the clinical oncologist @ MD Anderson and his tissue was tested for the CKit mutation and fortunately it did present the mutation. Mucosal melanoma presents the CKit mutation more often than other forms of melanoma and there are systemic treatments available to those with it. Since completing his treatment in early 2008 he has remained NED and we've gone back for routine scans every 3 months for the first 2 yrs and now every 6 months with the surgeon and he's graduated to yearly check ups with the clinical oncologist.
We were beyond fortunate and blessed with our outcome and I wish you and your husband all the best.
I can say that once treatment starts, it feels like a non-stop cycle of radiation, rest, radiation, scan, test, appt, radiation for weeks and it feels like there's hardly time for any form of "normal" in between. I understand the sense of urgency but I also see that he needs to feel normal a little longer before he takes such a big step.
Also before any radiation, doctors want to make sure your body is ready. Even your dental health is a factor because once radiation is applied near the mouth, it can affect the blood supply going to the jawbone and teeth which for any future dental procedures can be a risk. So before any radiation treatment, a dental evaluation must be performed and any dental procedures must be complete before radiation is performed. And after radiation, if any dental procedures need to be done, the dentist must be informed and sometimes an expert in oncological dentistry may be consulted.
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- July 26, 2012 at 4:16 pm
I'm a lurker on this board and I was moved to reply when I saw your post and it hit home with me.
My dad was diagnosed with nasal melanoma in 2007 after what they thought was a routine surgery for a nasal polyp. After the initial surgery and diagnosis we were referred to MD Anderson and he had another surgery 1 week later to get clear margins and they also removed 55 lymphnodes and one had micrometastases. He is Staged 3b. The surgery was performed endoscopically and basically removed much of his septum leaving little to no cosmetic changes. After surgery the doctors wanted to let his wounds heal before starting radiation treatments for his nose and neck. I remember he had surgery at the beginning of April and didn't start radiation treatments until early May. That means there was almost a month's time between surgery and radiation. They chose to perform 20ish radiation treatments over a 6 week period 4 times a week. During this period, we also met with the clinical oncologist @ MD Anderson and his tissue was tested for the CKit mutation and fortunately it did present the mutation. Mucosal melanoma presents the CKit mutation more often than other forms of melanoma and there are systemic treatments available to those with it. Since completing his treatment in early 2008 he has remained NED and we've gone back for routine scans every 3 months for the first 2 yrs and now every 6 months with the surgeon and he's graduated to yearly check ups with the clinical oncologist.
We were beyond fortunate and blessed with our outcome and I wish you and your husband all the best.
I can say that once treatment starts, it feels like a non-stop cycle of radiation, rest, radiation, scan, test, appt, radiation for weeks and it feels like there's hardly time for any form of "normal" in between. I understand the sense of urgency but I also see that he needs to feel normal a little longer before he takes such a big step.
Also before any radiation, doctors want to make sure your body is ready. Even your dental health is a factor because once radiation is applied near the mouth, it can affect the blood supply going to the jawbone and teeth which for any future dental procedures can be a risk. So before any radiation treatment, a dental evaluation must be performed and any dental procedures must be complete before radiation is performed. And after radiation, if any dental procedures need to be done, the dentist must be informed and sometimes an expert in oncological dentistry may be consulted.
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- July 26, 2012 at 9:22 pm
Hi,
I'm going to answer the question about the 10 day delay. The previous person who replied had very good points about mucosal melanoma, radiation, dental concerns, etc.
In the long run, I don't feel the 10 day delay will make a difference. Sometimes, as patients we have to feel like we have some "control" over our disease and treatments. It must be very important to your husband to spend more time with your son and attend a family member's wedding. If that is what he wants to do, I say support his decision and don't make him feel guilty. When I was notified that my melanoma had spread to my liver, we went on a 4 week road trip that we had planned. Yes, there was a bit of a black cloud over our heads but we had planned this trip while I was doing the 12 months of Interferon.
The only thing that comes to mind is that Interferon is recommended to be started within 56 days after surgery. However, since your husband has now been diagnosed with lung cancer as well, it doesn't look like he will fall into the 56 day window if his lung surgery is August 13 or August 23. I do know of patients that started Interferon after that 56 day window.
Hoping all goes well.
Stay Strong
King
Stage IV 7/05 Liver Mets
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- July 27, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Thanks for your post. The doctor told me yesterday that I should let my husband be with our son and go to the wedding if that's what he wants to do. I didn't know about the 56 day time frame to start interferon. My husband's nasal surgery was on May 8 so we are well past that already. The only thing we know for sure is that they are doing radiation. They've talked about interferon but we haven't even seen the chemo doctor yet. That won't be until after the radiation. Maybe we will find out more when we see the melanoma doctor is September. This is such a process to go through and I know it's just beginning. I know the doctors need to get their ducks in a row before they begin treatment but it just takes so long and I wanted it all done yesterday.
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- July 27, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Thanks for your post. The doctor told me yesterday that I should let my husband be with our son and go to the wedding if that's what he wants to do. I didn't know about the 56 day time frame to start interferon. My husband's nasal surgery was on May 8 so we are well past that already. The only thing we know for sure is that they are doing radiation. They've talked about interferon but we haven't even seen the chemo doctor yet. That won't be until after the radiation. Maybe we will find out more when we see the melanoma doctor is September. This is such a process to go through and I know it's just beginning. I know the doctors need to get their ducks in a row before they begin treatment but it just takes so long and I wanted it all done yesterday.
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- July 27, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Thanks for your post. The doctor told me yesterday that I should let my husband be with our son and go to the wedding if that's what he wants to do. I didn't know about the 56 day time frame to start interferon. My husband's nasal surgery was on May 8 so we are well past that already. The only thing we know for sure is that they are doing radiation. They've talked about interferon but we haven't even seen the chemo doctor yet. That won't be until after the radiation. Maybe we will find out more when we see the melanoma doctor is September. This is such a process to go through and I know it's just beginning. I know the doctors need to get their ducks in a row before they begin treatment but it just takes so long and I wanted it all done yesterday.
-
- July 26, 2012 at 9:22 pm
Hi,
I'm going to answer the question about the 10 day delay. The previous person who replied had very good points about mucosal melanoma, radiation, dental concerns, etc.
In the long run, I don't feel the 10 day delay will make a difference. Sometimes, as patients we have to feel like we have some "control" over our disease and treatments. It must be very important to your husband to spend more time with your son and attend a family member's wedding. If that is what he wants to do, I say support his decision and don't make him feel guilty. When I was notified that my melanoma had spread to my liver, we went on a 4 week road trip that we had planned. Yes, there was a bit of a black cloud over our heads but we had planned this trip while I was doing the 12 months of Interferon.
The only thing that comes to mind is that Interferon is recommended to be started within 56 days after surgery. However, since your husband has now been diagnosed with lung cancer as well, it doesn't look like he will fall into the 56 day window if his lung surgery is August 13 or August 23. I do know of patients that started Interferon after that 56 day window.
Hoping all goes well.
Stay Strong
King
Stage IV 7/05 Liver Mets
-
- July 26, 2012 at 9:22 pm
Hi,
I'm going to answer the question about the 10 day delay. The previous person who replied had very good points about mucosal melanoma, radiation, dental concerns, etc.
In the long run, I don't feel the 10 day delay will make a difference. Sometimes, as patients we have to feel like we have some "control" over our disease and treatments. It must be very important to your husband to spend more time with your son and attend a family member's wedding. If that is what he wants to do, I say support his decision and don't make him feel guilty. When I was notified that my melanoma had spread to my liver, we went on a 4 week road trip that we had planned. Yes, there was a bit of a black cloud over our heads but we had planned this trip while I was doing the 12 months of Interferon.
The only thing that comes to mind is that Interferon is recommended to be started within 56 days after surgery. However, since your husband has now been diagnosed with lung cancer as well, it doesn't look like he will fall into the 56 day window if his lung surgery is August 13 or August 23. I do know of patients that started Interferon after that 56 day window.
Hoping all goes well.
Stay Strong
King
Stage IV 7/05 Liver Mets
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- July 27, 2012 at 10:30 am
Could someone tell me what your nasal melnoma looked like? I see that 2 of you had what was thought a nasal polyp or papilloma, only to have melanoma diagnosed. I too have a papilloma in one nostril, and now I'm wondering if it could be something more sinister…?
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- July 27, 2012 at 1:31 pm
I don't know what my husband's melanoma looked like. It was something he felt in his nose, like a cotton ball as he described it. His PCP thought it was a polyp and referrred him to an ENT who thought it was an inverted pappiloma. In either case, it is rare for it to be malignant. It is even more rare for it to be melanoma. Less than 1% of melanoma's are in the nasal cavity.
The ENT was very surprised with the biopsy results. He had warned me post surgery that things didn't look as he expected but he thought then that even if it was cancer the prognosis would be good. When the results came back he was flabbergasted. He had never seen this before and said it didn't even look suspicious for melanoma specifically.
So, get the polyp removed and try not to worry much. They will biopsy it andunless your doctor tells you otherwise the odds are in your favor that it is nothing to worry about. Keep telling yourself that until you get the results. I wish you the best. My friend just had a pile of sinus polyps removed and that's all they were – just polyps.
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- July 27, 2012 at 1:31 pm
I don't know what my husband's melanoma looked like. It was something he felt in his nose, like a cotton ball as he described it. His PCP thought it was a polyp and referrred him to an ENT who thought it was an inverted pappiloma. In either case, it is rare for it to be malignant. It is even more rare for it to be melanoma. Less than 1% of melanoma's are in the nasal cavity.
The ENT was very surprised with the biopsy results. He had warned me post surgery that things didn't look as he expected but he thought then that even if it was cancer the prognosis would be good. When the results came back he was flabbergasted. He had never seen this before and said it didn't even look suspicious for melanoma specifically.
So, get the polyp removed and try not to worry much. They will biopsy it andunless your doctor tells you otherwise the odds are in your favor that it is nothing to worry about. Keep telling yourself that until you get the results. I wish you the best. My friend just had a pile of sinus polyps removed and that's all they were – just polyps.
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- July 27, 2012 at 1:31 pm
I don't know what my husband's melanoma looked like. It was something he felt in his nose, like a cotton ball as he described it. His PCP thought it was a polyp and referrred him to an ENT who thought it was an inverted pappiloma. In either case, it is rare for it to be malignant. It is even more rare for it to be melanoma. Less than 1% of melanoma's are in the nasal cavity.
The ENT was very surprised with the biopsy results. He had warned me post surgery that things didn't look as he expected but he thought then that even if it was cancer the prognosis would be good. When the results came back he was flabbergasted. He had never seen this before and said it didn't even look suspicious for melanoma specifically.
So, get the polyp removed and try not to worry much. They will biopsy it andunless your doctor tells you otherwise the odds are in your favor that it is nothing to worry about. Keep telling yourself that until you get the results. I wish you the best. My friend just had a pile of sinus polyps removed and that's all they were – just polyps.
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- July 27, 2012 at 10:30 am
Could someone tell me what your nasal melnoma looked like? I see that 2 of you had what was thought a nasal polyp or papilloma, only to have melanoma diagnosed. I too have a papilloma in one nostril, and now I'm wondering if it could be something more sinister…?
-
- July 27, 2012 at 10:30 am
Could someone tell me what your nasal melnoma looked like? I see that 2 of you had what was thought a nasal polyp or papilloma, only to have melanoma diagnosed. I too have a papilloma in one nostril, and now I'm wondering if it could be something more sinister…?
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- July 29, 2012 at 8:09 am
Are you going to one of these centers?? Melanoma is not like other cancers and seldom do the recommend Interferon these days….
Melanoma Care Centers in the United States
Below is a list of Melanoma Care Centers in the United States where you can refer your patients and access other resources to improve your practice.
Northeast
Interdisciplinary Melanoma Program
Rhode Island Hospital
Brown Medical School
Providence, Rhode Island
401-444-8852
Michael P. Vezeridis, M.D.
Martin A. Weinstock, M.D., Ph.D.
Co-DirectorsMelanoma Program
Norris Cotton Cancer Center
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
Lebanon, NH
603-650-5534Skin Oncology Program
Boston Medical Center
Boston, MA
617-638-7131
Physician in charge: Marie-France Demierre, MDThe Melanoma Program at Massachusetts General Hospital
Pigmented Lesion Clinic, Arthur J. Sober, MD, Director
Surgical Oncology, Kenneth K. Tanabe, MD, Director
Medical Oncology, Frank G. Haluska, MD, PhD, Director
Boston, MA
617-724-6082Pigmented Lesion Clinic
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, MA
617-667-3753
physician in charge: Caroline C. Kim, MDPediatric Pigmented Lesion Clinic
Children's Hospital Boston
Boston, MA
617-355-6117
physician in charge: Caroline C. Kim, MDMultidisciplinary Melanoma Clinic
University of Connecticut Health Center
Farmington, CT
860-679-4600Pigmented Lesion Clinic
Yale Dermatology Consultants
New Haven, CT
203-785-4632Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Buffalo, NY
716-845-7614The Tumor Vaccine Program
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
New York, NY
718-430-2000Melanoma Disease Management Team
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY
212-610-0766
http://www.mskcc.orgPigmented Lesion Section
New York University Medical Center, Oncology Section
New York, NY
212-263-5260
http://www.med.nyu.edu/dermComprehensive Cancer Center
Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center
New York, NY
718-920-1100Mohs Micrographic and Dermatologic Surgery Unit
Department of Dermatology
Weill Medical College of Cornell
New York Presbyterian Hospital
New York, NY
212-746-6538The Melanoma and Soft Tissue Oncology Program at
The Cancer Institute of New Jersey
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
New Brunswick, NJ
732-235-6777Melanoma and Skin Cancer Program
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
Hillman Cancer Center
Pittsburgh, PA
412-692-4724Pigmented Lesion Group
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
215-662-6926Midwest
Multidisciplinary Melanoma Clinic
Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
734-936-6360
http://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/clinic/melclinic.htmPigmented Lesion Clinic
Henry Ford Hospital
Detroit, MI
313-916-4060Multidisciplinary Melanoma Clinic
Karmanos Cancer Institute
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI
313-745-9166
1-800-KarmanosMultidisciplinary Melanoma and Pigmented Lesion Clinic
University of Cincinnati Medical Center
Cincinnati, OH
513-584-8900MetroHealth Medical Center
Cancer Care Center Melanoma Program
2500 MetroHealth Drive
Cleveland, Ohio 44109(216) 778-4795 (Surgical Oncology)
(216) 778-5802 (Medical Oncology)
The Melanoma Clinic at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center
Cleveland, OH
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/cancerThe Melanoma Center At The James
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
614-293-7531 (medical)
614-293-5644 (surgical)Wagner & Associates Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Consultants of Indiana
Indianapolis, IN
317-621-2520
317-621-2580Interdisciplinary Melanoma Clinic
Indiana University Cancer Center, Indiana University Medical Center
Indianapolis, IN
317-278-7449Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
708-327-2078
http://www.luhs.orgPigmented Lesion Center
Rush University
Chicago, IL
312-563-2321
http://www.rush.edu/rumc/page-R12605.htmlMelanoma and Pigmented Lesion Center
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
612-625-5199Multidisciplinary Melanoma Group
St. Louis University Health Sciences Center/SLUCare
St. Louis, MO
314-268-5320South
The Melanoma and Pigmented Lesion Clinic
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Baltimore, MD
410-614-1022Melanoma Center
Washington Cancer Institute
The Washington Hospital Center
Washington, DC
202-877-2551
http://www.whc.mhg.eduBlumenthal Cancer Center
Carolina Medical Center
Charlotte, NC
704-355-2757
http://www.carolinashealthcare.orgDermatologic Surgery Unit, Department of Dermatology
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Winston-Salem, NC
336-716-6276The Melanoma Clinic/Pigmented Lesion Clinic
Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center
Durham, NC
919-684-2137The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Melanoma Multidisciplinary Program
Referrals/Appointments 919-966-9700Brown Cancer Center, University Hospital at University of Louisville
Norton Cancer Center at Norton University
Louisville, KY
502-852-1897The Dermatology Clinic
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN
615-322-6485Emory Surgery, Melanoma, and Pigmented Lesion Clinic
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
404-778-3354 (Dr Washington), 404-778-5225 (Dr Chen)Section of Surgical Oncology
Winship Cancer Institute
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Info: 404-778-5233Oncology Research Program
Piedmont Hospital Research Institute
Atlanta, GA
404-605-3068
Email: [email protected]
http://www.piedmontcancercare.orgH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center Cutaneous Oncology Clinic
Tampa, FL
813-972-8485
800-456-3434
813-972-8400 ext 1968 (new patients)
http://www.moffitt.usf.edu
Program Leader: Vernon K. Sondak, MDLakeland Regional Cancer Center
Cutaneous Oncology Program
Lakeland, FL
863-603-6565The Pigmented Lesion Clinic
University of Miami School of Medicine
Miami, FL
305-243-4183M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando
1400 S. Orange Avenue
Orlando, Florida 32806
407 648-3800
800 648-3818
http://www.mdandersonorlando.org/Melanoma Skin Center
Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Dermatology
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX
713-745-1113The Melanoma Center of North Texas
Dallas, TX
Phone: (214) 956-6802
Contact: Jody Jordan, CRASouthwest
Cutaneous Oncology Program/Pigmented Lesion Clinic
The University of Arizona Cancer Center
Tucson, Arizona
520-694-2873 for patient appointments
http://azcc.arizona.edu/patients/clinic/skinLee Cranmer, MD, PhD
Evan Hersh, MD
Joanne Jeter, MD
Jim Warneke, MD
Clara Curiel, MDWest
Melanoma Multidisciplinary Clinic
Huntsman Cancer Institute
Salt Lake City, UT
801-408-3555 (referrals)Cutaneous Oncology
University of Colorado Cancer Center
Aschutz Cancer Pavilion
Aurora, CO
720-848-0300
800-473-2288The Melanoma Center
UCSF Clinical Cancer Center
San Francisco, CA
415-885-7546Northern California Melanoma Center
San Francisco, California
415-353-6535
Associate Director: Robert W. Weber, MDPigmented Lesion and Multidisciplinary Melanoma Clinics
Stanford University Medical Center
Stanford, CA
650-725-5255
http://cancer.stanfordhospital.comThe Angeles Clinic and Research Institute
Affiliated with the John Wayne Cancer Institute
Santa Monica, CA
310-231-2178
website: http://www.theangelesclinic.org/
email: [email protected]The Pigmented Lesion Clinic
UCLA Dermatology Center
Los Angeles, CA
310-825-6911North Bay Melanoma Program
Sponsored by Redwood Regional Medical Group
Director: Peter B. Brett, M.D.
652 Petaluma Ave #B
Sebastopol, CA 95472
website: http://www.melanomaprogram.org/
(707) 823-8565CHAO Family Comprehensive Cancer Center-Melanoma Clinic
University of California, Irvine Medical Center
Orange, CA
714-456-8171Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
206-288-2168 (patient referrals) -
- July 29, 2012 at 8:09 am
Are you going to one of these centers?? Melanoma is not like other cancers and seldom do the recommend Interferon these days….
Melanoma Care Centers in the United States
Below is a list of Melanoma Care Centers in the United States where you can refer your patients and access other resources to improve your practice.
Northeast
Interdisciplinary Melanoma Program
Rhode Island Hospital
Brown Medical School
Providence, Rhode Island
401-444-8852
Michael P. Vezeridis, M.D.
Martin A. Weinstock, M.D., Ph.D.
Co-DirectorsMelanoma Program
Norris Cotton Cancer Center
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
Lebanon, NH
603-650-5534Skin Oncology Program
Boston Medical Center
Boston, MA
617-638-7131
Physician in charge: Marie-France Demierre, MDThe Melanoma Program at Massachusetts General Hospital
Pigmented Lesion Clinic, Arthur J. Sober, MD, Director
Surgical Oncology, Kenneth K. Tanabe, MD, Director
Medical Oncology, Frank G. Haluska, MD, PhD, Director
Boston, MA
617-724-6082Pigmented Lesion Clinic
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, MA
617-667-3753
physician in charge: Caroline C. Kim, MDPediatric Pigmented Lesion Clinic
Children's Hospital Boston
Boston, MA
617-355-6117
physician in charge: Caroline C. Kim, MDMultidisciplinary Melanoma Clinic
University of Connecticut Health Center
Farmington, CT
860-679-4600Pigmented Lesion Clinic
Yale Dermatology Consultants
New Haven, CT
203-785-4632Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Buffalo, NY
716-845-7614The Tumor Vaccine Program
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
New York, NY
718-430-2000Melanoma Disease Management Team
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY
212-610-0766
http://www.mskcc.orgPigmented Lesion Section
New York University Medical Center, Oncology Section
New York, NY
212-263-5260
http://www.med.nyu.edu/dermComprehensive Cancer Center
Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center
New York, NY
718-920-1100Mohs Micrographic and Dermatologic Surgery Unit
Department of Dermatology
Weill Medical College of Cornell
New York Presbyterian Hospital
New York, NY
212-746-6538The Melanoma and Soft Tissue Oncology Program at
The Cancer Institute of New Jersey
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
New Brunswick, NJ
732-235-6777Melanoma and Skin Cancer Program
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
Hillman Cancer Center
Pittsburgh, PA
412-692-4724Pigmented Lesion Group
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
215-662-6926Midwest
Multidisciplinary Melanoma Clinic
Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
734-936-6360
http://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/clinic/melclinic.htmPigmented Lesion Clinic
Henry Ford Hospital
Detroit, MI
313-916-4060Multidisciplinary Melanoma Clinic
Karmanos Cancer Institute
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI
313-745-9166
1-800-KarmanosMultidisciplinary Melanoma and Pigmented Lesion Clinic
University of Cincinnati Medical Center
Cincinnati, OH
513-584-8900MetroHealth Medical Center
Cancer Care Center Melanoma Program
2500 MetroHealth Drive
Cleveland, Ohio 44109(216) 778-4795 (Surgical Oncology)
(216) 778-5802 (Medical Oncology)
The Melanoma Clinic at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center
Cleveland, OH
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/cancerThe Melanoma Center At The James
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
614-293-7531 (medical)
614-293-5644 (surgical)Wagner & Associates Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Consultants of Indiana
Indianapolis, IN
317-621-2520
317-621-2580Interdisciplinary Melanoma Clinic
Indiana University Cancer Center, Indiana University Medical Center
Indianapolis, IN
317-278-7449Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
708-327-2078
http://www.luhs.orgPigmented Lesion Center
Rush University
Chicago, IL
312-563-2321
http://www.rush.edu/rumc/page-R12605.htmlMelanoma and Pigmented Lesion Center
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
612-625-5199Multidisciplinary Melanoma Group
St. Louis University Health Sciences Center/SLUCare
St. Louis, MO
314-268-5320South
The Melanoma and Pigmented Lesion Clinic
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Baltimore, MD
410-614-1022Melanoma Center
Washington Cancer Institute
The Washington Hospital Center
Washington, DC
202-877-2551
http://www.whc.mhg.eduBlumenthal Cancer Center
Carolina Medical Center
Charlotte, NC
704-355-2757
http://www.carolinashealthcare.orgDermatologic Surgery Unit, Department of Dermatology
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Winston-Salem, NC
336-716-6276The Melanoma Clinic/Pigmented Lesion Clinic
Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center
Durham, NC
919-684-2137The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Melanoma Multidisciplinary Program
Referrals/Appointments 919-966-9700Brown Cancer Center, University Hospital at University of Louisville
Norton Cancer Center at Norton University
Louisville, KY
502-852-1897The Dermatology Clinic
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN
615-322-6485Emory Surgery, Melanoma, and Pigmented Lesion Clinic
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
404-778-3354 (Dr Washington), 404-778-5225 (Dr Chen)Section of Surgical Oncology
Winship Cancer Institute
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Info: 404-778-5233Oncology Research Program
Piedmont Hospital Research Institute
Atlanta, GA
404-605-3068
Email: [email protected]
http://www.piedmontcancercare.orgH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center Cutaneous Oncology Clinic
Tampa, FL
813-972-8485
800-456-3434
813-972-8400 ext 1968 (new patients)
http://www.moffitt.usf.edu
Program Leader: Vernon K. Sondak, MDLakeland Regional Cancer Center
Cutaneous Oncology Program
Lakeland, FL
863-603-6565The Pigmented Lesion Clinic
University of Miami School of Medicine
Miami, FL
305-243-4183M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando
1400 S. Orange Avenue
Orlando, Florida 32806
407 648-3800
800 648-3818
http://www.mdandersonorlando.org/Melanoma Skin Center
Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Dermatology
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX
713-745-1113The Melanoma Center of North Texas
Dallas, TX
Phone: (214) 956-6802
Contact: Jody Jordan, CRASouthwest
Cutaneous Oncology Program/Pigmented Lesion Clinic
The University of Arizona Cancer Center
Tucson, Arizona
520-694-2873 for patient appointments
http://azcc.arizona.edu/patients/clinic/skinLee Cranmer, MD, PhD
Evan Hersh, MD
Joanne Jeter, MD
Jim Warneke, MD
Clara Curiel, MDWest
Melanoma Multidisciplinary Clinic
Huntsman Cancer Institute
Salt Lake City, UT
801-408-3555 (referrals)Cutaneous Oncology
University of Colorado Cancer Center
Aschutz Cancer Pavilion
Aurora, CO
720-848-0300
800-473-2288The Melanoma Center
UCSF Clinical Cancer Center
San Francisco, CA
415-885-7546Northern California Melanoma Center
San Francisco, California
415-353-6535
Associate Director: Robert W. Weber, MDPigmented Lesion and Multidisciplinary Melanoma Clinics
Stanford University Medical Center
Stanford, CA
650-725-5255
http://cancer.stanfordhospital.comThe Angeles Clinic and Research Institute
Affiliated with the John Wayne Cancer Institute
Santa Monica, CA
310-231-2178
website: http://www.theangelesclinic.org/
email: [email protected]The Pigmented Lesion Clinic
UCLA Dermatology Center
Los Angeles, CA
310-825-6911North Bay Melanoma Program
Sponsored by Redwood Regional Medical Group
Director: Peter B. Brett, M.D.
652 Petaluma Ave #B
Sebastopol, CA 95472
website: http://www.melanomaprogram.org/
(707) 823-8565CHAO Family Comprehensive Cancer Center-Melanoma Clinic
University of California, Irvine Medical Center
Orange, CA
714-456-8171Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
206-288-2168 (patient referrals)-
- July 30, 2012 at 4:09 am
Thanks so much for the list. We are going to the Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh PA so I was glad to see it there. Unfortunately, I'm afraid my worst fears have come true. This morning my husband woke up and has a chain of bumps closely following the incision line (but not right next to it) where the lymph nodes were removed in May. I've been so afraid of this. The doctors have delayed further treament until the lung is taken care of and the process has been so long. As stated earlier in my post, I was upset with my husband for changing the surgery from Aug 13 to Aug 23 but this has happened before either date anyway. There was a small swelling at the top of the incision last week when we saw a doctor and he didn't think anything of it. He said simply that as swelling goes down post surgery that sometimes things show up. It made sense when he explained it. Well, these lumps are clearly visible and they just popped up overnight. I can't believe it happened so fast. We called Pittsburgh today and were told to call back tomorrow for an appointment. I hope they see him fast and maybe things aren't as bad as I'm thinking they are. I just don't understand why the radiation has been let go for so long even with the lung problem. He's been to doctor after doctor after doctor and they all have access to the entire history. Somewhere in my notes a doctor had told us that radiation doesn't always prolong life so maybe it's just a "try and hope" sort of thing anyway. I guess having two types of cancer just complicates things. I'm not blaming anyone for anything – just tired, scared and confused.
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- July 30, 2012 at 4:09 am
Thanks so much for the list. We are going to the Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh PA so I was glad to see it there. Unfortunately, I'm afraid my worst fears have come true. This morning my husband woke up and has a chain of bumps closely following the incision line (but not right next to it) where the lymph nodes were removed in May. I've been so afraid of this. The doctors have delayed further treament until the lung is taken care of and the process has been so long. As stated earlier in my post, I was upset with my husband for changing the surgery from Aug 13 to Aug 23 but this has happened before either date anyway. There was a small swelling at the top of the incision last week when we saw a doctor and he didn't think anything of it. He said simply that as swelling goes down post surgery that sometimes things show up. It made sense when he explained it. Well, these lumps are clearly visible and they just popped up overnight. I can't believe it happened so fast. We called Pittsburgh today and were told to call back tomorrow for an appointment. I hope they see him fast and maybe things aren't as bad as I'm thinking they are. I just don't understand why the radiation has been let go for so long even with the lung problem. He's been to doctor after doctor after doctor and they all have access to the entire history. Somewhere in my notes a doctor had told us that radiation doesn't always prolong life so maybe it's just a "try and hope" sort of thing anyway. I guess having two types of cancer just complicates things. I'm not blaming anyone for anything – just tired, scared and confused.
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- July 30, 2012 at 4:09 am
Thanks so much for the list. We are going to the Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh PA so I was glad to see it there. Unfortunately, I'm afraid my worst fears have come true. This morning my husband woke up and has a chain of bumps closely following the incision line (but not right next to it) where the lymph nodes were removed in May. I've been so afraid of this. The doctors have delayed further treament until the lung is taken care of and the process has been so long. As stated earlier in my post, I was upset with my husband for changing the surgery from Aug 13 to Aug 23 but this has happened before either date anyway. There was a small swelling at the top of the incision last week when we saw a doctor and he didn't think anything of it. He said simply that as swelling goes down post surgery that sometimes things show up. It made sense when he explained it. Well, these lumps are clearly visible and they just popped up overnight. I can't believe it happened so fast. We called Pittsburgh today and were told to call back tomorrow for an appointment. I hope they see him fast and maybe things aren't as bad as I'm thinking they are. I just don't understand why the radiation has been let go for so long even with the lung problem. He's been to doctor after doctor after doctor and they all have access to the entire history. Somewhere in my notes a doctor had told us that radiation doesn't always prolong life so maybe it's just a "try and hope" sort of thing anyway. I guess having two types of cancer just complicates things. I'm not blaming anyone for anything – just tired, scared and confused.
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- July 29, 2012 at 8:09 am
Are you going to one of these centers?? Melanoma is not like other cancers and seldom do the recommend Interferon these days….
Melanoma Care Centers in the United States
Below is a list of Melanoma Care Centers in the United States where you can refer your patients and access other resources to improve your practice.
Northeast
Interdisciplinary Melanoma Program
Rhode Island Hospital
Brown Medical School
Providence, Rhode Island
401-444-8852
Michael P. Vezeridis, M.D.
Martin A. Weinstock, M.D., Ph.D.
Co-DirectorsMelanoma Program
Norris Cotton Cancer Center
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
Lebanon, NH
603-650-5534Skin Oncology Program
Boston Medical Center
Boston, MA
617-638-7131
Physician in charge: Marie-France Demierre, MDThe Melanoma Program at Massachusetts General Hospital
Pigmented Lesion Clinic, Arthur J. Sober, MD, Director
Surgical Oncology, Kenneth K. Tanabe, MD, Director
Medical Oncology, Frank G. Haluska, MD, PhD, Director
Boston, MA
617-724-6082Pigmented Lesion Clinic
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, MA
617-667-3753
physician in charge: Caroline C. Kim, MDPediatric Pigmented Lesion Clinic
Children's Hospital Boston
Boston, MA
617-355-6117
physician in charge: Caroline C. Kim, MDMultidisciplinary Melanoma Clinic
University of Connecticut Health Center
Farmington, CT
860-679-4600Pigmented Lesion Clinic
Yale Dermatology Consultants
New Haven, CT
203-785-4632Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Buffalo, NY
716-845-7614The Tumor Vaccine Program
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
New York, NY
718-430-2000Melanoma Disease Management Team
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY
212-610-0766
http://www.mskcc.orgPigmented Lesion Section
New York University Medical Center, Oncology Section
New York, NY
212-263-5260
http://www.med.nyu.edu/dermComprehensive Cancer Center
Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center
New York, NY
718-920-1100Mohs Micrographic and Dermatologic Surgery Unit
Department of Dermatology
Weill Medical College of Cornell
New York Presbyterian Hospital
New York, NY
212-746-6538The Melanoma and Soft Tissue Oncology Program at
The Cancer Institute of New Jersey
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
New Brunswick, NJ
732-235-6777Melanoma and Skin Cancer Program
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
Hillman Cancer Center
Pittsburgh, PA
412-692-4724Pigmented Lesion Group
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
215-662-6926Midwest
Multidisciplinary Melanoma Clinic
Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
734-936-6360
http://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/clinic/melclinic.htmPigmented Lesion Clinic
Henry Ford Hospital
Detroit, MI
313-916-4060Multidisciplinary Melanoma Clinic
Karmanos Cancer Institute
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI
313-745-9166
1-800-KarmanosMultidisciplinary Melanoma and Pigmented Lesion Clinic
University of Cincinnati Medical Center
Cincinnati, OH
513-584-8900MetroHealth Medical Center
Cancer Care Center Melanoma Program
2500 MetroHealth Drive
Cleveland, Ohio 44109(216) 778-4795 (Surgical Oncology)
(216) 778-5802 (Medical Oncology)
The Melanoma Clinic at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center
Cleveland, OH
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/cancerThe Melanoma Center At The James
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
614-293-7531 (medical)
614-293-5644 (surgical)Wagner & Associates Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Consultants of Indiana
Indianapolis, IN
317-621-2520
317-621-2580Interdisciplinary Melanoma Clinic
Indiana University Cancer Center, Indiana University Medical Center
Indianapolis, IN
317-278-7449Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
708-327-2078
http://www.luhs.orgPigmented Lesion Center
Rush University
Chicago, IL
312-563-2321
http://www.rush.edu/rumc/page-R12605.htmlMelanoma and Pigmented Lesion Center
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
612-625-5199Multidisciplinary Melanoma Group
St. Louis University Health Sciences Center/SLUCare
St. Louis, MO
314-268-5320South
The Melanoma and Pigmented Lesion Clinic
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Baltimore, MD
410-614-1022Melanoma Center
Washington Cancer Institute
The Washington Hospital Center
Washington, DC
202-877-2551
http://www.whc.mhg.eduBlumenthal Cancer Center
Carolina Medical Center
Charlotte, NC
704-355-2757
http://www.carolinashealthcare.orgDermatologic Surgery Unit, Department of Dermatology
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Winston-Salem, NC
336-716-6276The Melanoma Clinic/Pigmented Lesion Clinic
Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center
Durham, NC
919-684-2137The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Melanoma Multidisciplinary Program
Referrals/Appointments 919-966-9700Brown Cancer Center, University Hospital at University of Louisville
Norton Cancer Center at Norton University
Louisville, KY
502-852-1897The Dermatology Clinic
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN
615-322-6485Emory Surgery, Melanoma, and Pigmented Lesion Clinic
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
404-778-3354 (Dr Washington), 404-778-5225 (Dr Chen)Section of Surgical Oncology
Winship Cancer Institute
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Info: 404-778-5233Oncology Research Program
Piedmont Hospital Research Institute
Atlanta, GA
404-605-3068
Email: [email protected]
http://www.piedmontcancercare.orgH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center Cutaneous Oncology Clinic
Tampa, FL
813-972-8485
800-456-3434
813-972-8400 ext 1968 (new patients)
http://www.moffitt.usf.edu
Program Leader: Vernon K. Sondak, MDLakeland Regional Cancer Center
Cutaneous Oncology Program
Lakeland, FL
863-603-6565The Pigmented Lesion Clinic
University of Miami School of Medicine
Miami, FL
305-243-4183M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando
1400 S. Orange Avenue
Orlando, Florida 32806
407 648-3800
800 648-3818
http://www.mdandersonorlando.org/Melanoma Skin Center
Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Dermatology
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX
713-745-1113The Melanoma Center of North Texas
Dallas, TX
Phone: (214) 956-6802
Contact: Jody Jordan, CRASouthwest
Cutaneous Oncology Program/Pigmented Lesion Clinic
The University of Arizona Cancer Center
Tucson, Arizona
520-694-2873 for patient appointments
http://azcc.arizona.edu/patients/clinic/skinLee Cranmer, MD, PhD
Evan Hersh, MD
Joanne Jeter, MD
Jim Warneke, MD
Clara Curiel, MDWest
Melanoma Multidisciplinary Clinic
Huntsman Cancer Institute
Salt Lake City, UT
801-408-3555 (referrals)Cutaneous Oncology
University of Colorado Cancer Center
Aschutz Cancer Pavilion
Aurora, CO
720-848-0300
800-473-2288The Melanoma Center
UCSF Clinical Cancer Center
San Francisco, CA
415-885-7546Northern California Melanoma Center
San Francisco, California
415-353-6535
Associate Director: Robert W. Weber, MDPigmented Lesion and Multidisciplinary Melanoma Clinics
Stanford University Medical Center
Stanford, CA
650-725-5255
http://cancer.stanfordhospital.comThe Angeles Clinic and Research Institute
Affiliated with the John Wayne Cancer Institute
Santa Monica, CA
310-231-2178
website: http://www.theangelesclinic.org/
email: [email protected]The Pigmented Lesion Clinic
UCLA Dermatology Center
Los Angeles, CA
310-825-6911North Bay Melanoma Program
Sponsored by Redwood Regional Medical Group
Director: Peter B. Brett, M.D.
652 Petaluma Ave #B
Sebastopol, CA 95472
website: http://www.melanomaprogram.org/
(707) 823-8565CHAO Family Comprehensive Cancer Center-Melanoma Clinic
University of California, Irvine Medical Center
Orange, CA
714-456-8171Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
206-288-2168 (patient referrals)
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