I've been diagnosed with melanoma. Now what? Learning that you have melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, can make it difficult to hear anything else your doctor says. After leaving the office, you may wonder what happens next. While what happens next varies with each patient, there is a process

When checking the body for signs of skin cancer, many people may only think to check their skin. However, it’s important to check the nails, too. Although rare, skin cancer, including melanoma — the deadliest form of skin cancer — can develop under and around the fingernails and toenails. While

Check your skin: Skin self-exams can help melanoma survivors find another melanoma early. If you’ve been treated for melanoma, you may never get another melanoma. Many people don’t. But it’s important to know that you have a greater risk of getting another one. Anyone who has had melanoma has

Lymph system: We have lymph nodes, which are connected by lymph vessels (shown in green), throughout our body. The largest number of lymph nodes are found in our neck, armpits, and groin. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread quickly. When melanoma starts to spread, it often travels to a

Reviewing x-ray: FDA-approved combinations of medications can shrink melanoma tumors and stop the cancer from spreading for a longer time. If you have advanced melanoma, this means the cancer has spread. Surgery alone cannot remove the cancer. You’ll need other treatment. One option that your doctor

By age 50, men are more likely than women to develop melanoma. Sun protection can reduce this risk. Researchers have found yet another way that men and women differ. Melanoma, the most-serious skin cancer, affects the sexes differently. Men are more likely to die of melanoma than women. This is true

Family tree: About 10% of melanomas are caused by a gene mutation (change) that passes from one generation to the next. If you’re worried about getting melanoma, the most-serious skin cancer, you may be wondering whether you should have genetic testing. After all, genetic testing is now used find

It’s natural to worry after being diagnosed with melanoma. Getting help dealing with worry and other emotions can bring peace of mind. After a melanoma diagnosis, feelings of worry, fear, or anxiety can be overwhelming. To find out what can help ease these feelings, researchers talked with thousands

Next steps after a melanoma diagnosis Learning that you have melanoma, the most-serious type of skin cancer, can make it difficult to hear anything else your doctor says. After leaving the office, you may wonder what happens next. While what happens next varies with each patient, there is a process