Skin cancer, melanoma

Skin cancer, melanoma

Also known as: melanoma

Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that starts in the pigment-producing skin cells called melanocytes. These cells become abnormal, grow uncontrollably, and invade surrounding tissues aggressively.

At Providence Cancer Center, patients and families benefit from some of the finest, most comprehensive cancer services in the world, including the best in diagnostic imaging, state-of-the-art treatments, nationally-renowned research, and compassionate counseling and support. Our doctors, surgeons, nurses, researchers, patient advocates and other caregivers work together to treat cancer aggressively and to ensure that no person has to face the challenge of a cancer diagnosis alone.

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Services offered by Providence

Cancer Center lending libraries

Knowledge about cancer helps patients and their loved ones as they navigate diagnosis, treatment and recovery. For patients and families, easily-acces More »

Dermatology

Dermatology is a medical specialty. Dermatologists are medical doctors who have had special training in the care of skin, scalp, hair and nails.  Aspe More »

Multidisciplinary cancer care

The evidence-based, multidisciplinary team approach to patient care at Providence Cancer Center is creating hope and changing lives for many people More »

Oncology nurse navigator

An oncology nurse navigator is an oncology certified nurse (OCN) who provides  education for each cancer patient concerning their individual treatme More »

Sunscreens

Sunscreens are lotions that are used to protects your skin from harmful UV rays. Skin cancer can often be prevented by avoiding overexposure to the su More »

Tobacco counseling

Ready to quit smoking?  We can help.  More »

From the experts

Ask an Expert: Chemotherapy and insomnia

Q: I'm undergoing chemo, and though I am experiencing heavy-duty fatigue, I am also suffering from insomnia! Sometimes it's hard to fall asleep; other nights I wake up around 3 a.m. for an hour or two. My medical oncologist said chemo can disrupt the sleep-wake cycle and prescribed Ambien. I don't like the idea of relying on a sleeping pill. Anything else I can do?

Answer from Miles Hassell, M.D., director of Providence Integrative Medicine at Providence Cancer Center:

Ask an expert: Three dermatology services that make for very grateful patients

Skin problems aren’t always just skin deep. They can affect our comfort, our health, our appearance and our confidence. Any time a dermatologist can help find a solution, it makes for a very happy patient. But three dermatology services, in particular, lead to especially grateful patients.

Ipilimumab among treatment advances for metastatic melanoma

Many different systemic therapies have been tested for melanoma over the past 50 years, with generally disappointing results. The phase 3 study of ipilimumab was the first to show a survival benefit for any medical therapy in melanoma. – By Brendan Curti, M.D., medical director, Providence Biotherapy Program, Providence Melanoma Program

Groundbreaking immunotherapy: More tailored, less toxic treatments

Inside your body, standing at attention in your blood, tissues, and organs, there are millions of tiny troopers mobilized against invaders.

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