Reassurance and expert care when you need it
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and hearing you may have it can feel overwhelming. You’re not alone. Marshfield Clinic specialists are here to give you clear answers, personalized treatment options and supportive care every step of the way. When detected early, melanoma is highly treatable.
Melanoma begins in melanocytes, the cells that give skin its color. Most melanomas are caused by ultraviolet (UV) exposure from sunlight or tanning beds.
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Call: (866) 520-2510; Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Types of skin cancer we treat
While this page focuses on melanoma, Marshfield Clinic experts diagnose and treat the full spectrum of skin cancers.
- Melanoma: The most dangerous skin cancer; more likely to spread than other types
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): Most common skin cancer; typically slow growing and highly treatable
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): Can grow deeper and spread if untreated
Understanding your exact cancer type helps us choose the most effective treatment plan.
Risk factors
If you’re unsure about your risk or need screening guidance, our dermatology and oncology teams can help. Anyone can get melanoma, but certain factors increase risk:
- UV exposure: Sunlight and tanning beds are the leading causes of melanoma, and short intense bursts of sun exposure and childhood sunburns can increase risk
- Skin, hair and eye color: People with fair skin, blonde or red hair and light-colored eyes have higher melanoma risk
- Personal or family history: A first-degree relative with melanoma significantly increases risk
- Atypical or numerous moles: Having 20+ small moles or several large or atypical (dysplastic) moles increases risk
- Immune system suppression: A weakened immune system raises melanoma risk
Signs and symptoms
Melanoma often begins as a change in a mole or a new spot on the skin. Early diagnosis can be life‑saving. Melanoma can appear anywhere, including areas that don’t get much sun, like the soles of the feet, palms of the hand and nail beds.
The ABCDEs of melanoma to watch for:
- A - Asymmetry: One half doesn’t match the other
- B - Border: Irregular or jagged edges
- C - Color: Multiple colors or uneven shades
- D - Diameter: Larger than 6 mm (pencil eraser)
- E - Evolving: Changes in size, color, shape or symptoms
Other warning signs:
- A new pigmented spot or unusual growth
- A mole that bleeds, crusts, itches or feels numb
Treatments
Your treatment plan depends on the stage and location of the cancer, whether it has spread and your overall health. Marshfield Clinic offers comprehensive melanoma care using evidence-based therapies.
Surgery
Surgery is the main treatment for early-stage melanoma. Options include:
- Mohs surgery: Surgeons remove skin layer by layer, viewing each layer under a microscope until all cancer cells are removed. This method preserves as much healthy tissue as possible. Mohs is also commonly used to treat basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers.
- Wide local excision: Melanoma and surrounding tissue is removed
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy: To check whether cancer has spread
- Reconstructive surgery: Skin grafts or flaps may be needed after removing large or deep tumors
Target therapies and immunotherapy
Targeted therapies block genetic changes that can help tumors grow. Nearly half of all melanomas have a BRAF mutation and may be able to be treated with BRAF inhibitors. Immunotherapies help your body’s immune system attack and kill cancer cells. A type of immunotherapy called checkpoint inhibitors is frequently used for advanced melanoma.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy may be recommended for melanoma that has spread to lymph nodes or distant organs.
Oncolytic virus therapy
Talimogene laherparepvec (Imlygic), also known as T-VEC, is a newer treatment option for melanoma that cannot be removed with surgery. A virus altered to kill cancer cells is injected directly into the tumor, killing cancer cells and alerting the immune system to attack the cancer.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation can be used to treat:
- Melanoma that returns
- Symptoms caused by spread to areas such as the brain, bones or lymph nodes
Techniques include:
- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) for precise targeting
- Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) for real-time imaging and accuracy
Your care team will explain each option and tailor your plan to your needs, lifestyle and goals, helping you move forward with confidence.