Melanoma Surgical Oncology

About Us

Melanoma is the most serious and aggressive form of skin cancer. It is a tumor that arises from pigment-forming cells called melanocytes in the skin. Melanoma can invade deeper layers of the skin, and can also spread to nearby lymph nodes and distant parts of the body such as the lung, liver, bone, and brain. Melanoma is highly curable in its early stages. While it can be life threatening, innovative drug therapies are showing significant survival benefit to patients with advanced-stage melanoma.

The Stanford Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Program offers an integrated, multidisciplinary diagnostic and treatment plan for patients with all stages of melanoma. The program features state-of-the-art expertise from surgical, cutaneous, and medical oncologists, dermatologic and Mohs surgeons, dermatopathologists, cytopathologists, and radiation oncologists. Our clinic offers consultation and treatment for melanoma of from its earliest to most advanced stages, as well as other rare and aggressive skin cancers. Housed in a single location in the 900 Blake Wilbur 3rd floor Cancer Center annex, the Stanford Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Clinic (PLMC) provides comprehensive, streamlined care for both new and established patients who can be evaluated by multiple specialists at the same visit. Our parallel clinic format enables ongoing tumor board-style discussions between physician specialists, which expedites and optimizes treatment for patients. We strive to provide world-class care by tailoring the latest breakthroughs in melanoma therapy to the specific needs and goals of each individual patient.

The Stanford Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Clinic is recognized for its:

  • Highly Specialized, Expert Surgical Care. Our surgical group is comprised of highly experienced oncology, head and neck, and plastics/reconstructive surgeons who specialize in wide local excision, complex wound closure, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and lymph node dissection. As a high-volume practice, our surgeons perform over 300 melanoma-related cases annually. In addition, dermatologic and Mohs surgeons contribute to the care of cutaneous melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers, performing over 2000 Mohs cases annually for higher risk skin cancers, as well as immunostain-controlled Mohs surgery for certain subtypes of melanoma in situ. Our surgeons are dedicated to achieving the best cancer outcome for each patient, while maximizing overall function and cosmetic appearance.
  • Renowned Dermatologic/Cutaneous Oncology Expertise. Our cutaneous oncologists are dermatologists who have longstanding expertise in prevention, early detection, surveillance, and management of cutaneous and metastatic melanoma. They are esteemed thought leaders in melanoma care and have played an integral role in establishing national evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of melanoma as well as early detection strategies to increase the likelihood of cure. Our Supportive Dermato-Oncology team works to address skin toxicities related to melanoma and other cancer treatment.
  • Breakthrough Treatments for Advanced Melanoma. The discovery of new drugs and therapies for melanoma has revolutionized treatment for advanced melanoma. Our medical oncology group utilizes an array of established and experimental therapies to treat advanced melanoma and other aggressive skin cancers, including immunotherapy, targeted molecular therapy, intratumoral vaccine therapy, and chemotherapy.
  • State-of-the-Art Surveillance Technology. Patients with an atypical mole pattern have a significantly higher risk of developing melanoma. We employ dermoscopy, image capture and total body mole mapping through a new 3-D imaging technology (VetraXT) – located in Stanford Dermatology/Redwood City to assist in the early detection of severely atypical moles and melanoma. Stanford is currently the sole provider of ultra-high resolution 3-D total body mole mapping in the San Francisco Bay Area.
  • Leading-Edge Research and Clinical Trial Recruitment. The discovery of immunotherapy and novel targeted agents has revolutionized the treatment of advanced melanoma. The Stanford Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Program is at the forefront of these new innovations and offers eligible patients access to multiple cross-institutional and industry-sponsored clinical trials.
     

Cutaneous Oncology Conditions/Skin Cancers We Treat:

  • Melanoma
  • Merkel cell carcinoma
  • Advanced or metastatic squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma
  • Angiosarcoma
  • Apocrine carcinoma
  • Cutaneous leiomyosarcoma
  • Dermatofibrosarcoma protruberans
  • Microcystic adnexal carcinoma
  • Paget's and extramammary Paget's disease
  • Sebaceous carcinoma

 

Faculty

Assistant Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
Clinical Associate Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - General Surgery

Clinic Information

Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Clinic at Blake Wilbur Building
Tel: (650) 498-6000

Melanoma Surgery Clinic
Tel: (650) 736-0322

Address: 
875 Blake Wilbur Dr.
Palo A lot, CA 94304

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Stanford University School of Medicine

875 Blake Wilbur Dr.
Palo Alto, CA 94304
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Prepare For Your Appointment

Review the New Patient Packet for information about:

  • What to expect on the day of your appointment
  • Maps, directions, parking, public transit options, and contact information
  • Other patient resources

 

Referrals