Melanoma
A skin cancer that starts in pigment-making cells. Depth, spread to lymph nodes or elsewhere, and molecular test results guide surgery, immunotherapy, or targeted drugs.
Preview — not yet published
This page is in editorial and medical review. Content below is a scaffold — treat it as a preview, not guidance.
In plain language
What melanoma is
A short definition first, before any detail.
A skin cancer that starts in pigment-making cells. Depth, spread to lymph nodes or elsewhere, and molecular test results guide surgery, immunotherapy, or targeted drugs.
A plain-language analogy will appear here once editorial and medical review are complete.
Also known as: melanoma, skin melanoma, malignant melanoma.
What patients usually want to know first
Urgency and next steps
Orientation before detail — so you know where you stand.
Urgency
Prompt follow-up
Don't wait long for next steps — book a follow-up with your doctor soon.
Symptoms that matter
Common signs, and red flags
Red-flag symptoms are the ones that need same-day attention.
Common symptoms
A reviewed list of common symptoms will appear here once editorial and medical review are complete.
Red-flag symptoms
If you have any of these, contact your doctor — or, for emergencies, call your local emergency number.
A reviewed red-flag list will appear here once editorial and medical review are complete.
What happens after diagnosis
Likely tests and referrals
The common next steps, in roughly the order they usually come.
A reviewed list of likely tests and referrals will appear here once editorial and medical review are complete.
Questions to ask your doctor
Practical prompts for your next visit
Not a script — a starting point. Bring the ones that matter to you.
What stage is my melanoma, and how was that determined?
Will I need a sentinel lymph node biopsy or other staging procedures?
Has my tumor been tested for BRAF or other mutations that open targeted therapy?
What is the plan for surgery, and will I need adjuvant therapy afterward?
How will we watch for recurrence after treatment?
Treatment pathways
Common routes — not personalized advice
Your care team decides what's right for you based on type, stage, and overall health.
A reviewed summary of treatment pathways will appear here once editorial and medical review are complete.
Types, stages, or subconditions
Why the specific type can matter
Different types or stages can have very different treatment options and outlooks.
A reviewed overview of types or stages will appear here once editorial and medical review are complete.
Research and clinical trials
When research may be worth considering
Research isn't the first step for everyone — it's an option to know about.
Clinical trials can offer access to new treatments, extra monitoring, or another option when standard treatments aren’t a fit. Whether a trial is worth considering depends on your specific situation — and on timing.
Keep reading
More on this condition
Questions to ask your doctor
Practical prompts to bring to your next appointment — not a script, a starting point.
Read moreTreatment options
Common treatment routes in plain language. Your care team decides what fits you.
Read moreTypes, stages, and subtypes
Why the specific type or stage matters for what comes next.
Read moreResearch and clinical trials
When research may be worth considering, and how to tell if a trial fits.
Read more
Review, sources, and disclaimer
How this page was reviewed
Pending medical review. This page will list the reviewing clinician and review date before publication.
Sources will be listed here before publication. We prefer guideline-level and patient-trusted references.
This page is educational, not medical advice. Talk with your care team about decisions that apply to you. If something feels urgent, contact your doctor — or, for emergencies, call your local emergency number.