Melanoma

Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer, so receiving a positive diagnosis can be a scary experience; however, it is almost always curable if it is detected and treated early.

Melanomas—which are primarily caused by intense UV exposure—often resemble moles, and some even develop from existing moles, so it’s important to see a doctor if you notice any new, changing, or unusual-looking moles on your skin. The majority of melanomas are black or brown, but they can also be skin-colored, pink, red, purple, blue, or white.

The GW Cancer Center's Cutaneous Oncology Program is home to a team of experts in radiation oncology, surgical oncology, dermatology, and dermatopathology who support patients every step of the way after a positive melanoma diagnosis. 

The center’s specialists use the latest technology to provide patients with the best chance of beating melanoma, and new medical advances have raised the disease's five-year survival rate to 93%.