The Leeds Melanoma Team in an integrated local skin cancer service and a specialist melanoma cancer service with an international reputation for excellence.
Every patient has access to the melanoma nurse specialist team from the time of diagnosis onwards, who can be contacted on 0113 2067708.
What is melanoma?
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer, which arises from the pigment cells (melanocytes) in the skin. Melanocytes make a brown/black pigment (known as melanin), and often the first sign of a melanoma developing is a previous mole changing in colour or a new brown/black lesion developing. Most frequently there is darkening in colour but occasionally there is loss of pigmentation with pale areas or red areas developing. This melanoma on the skin is known as the primary melanoma
One of the most important causes of melanoma is exposure to too much ultraviolet light in sunlight. The use of artificial sources of ultraviolet light, such as sunbeds, also increases the risk of getting a melanoma.
Access our Melanoma Patient Information Leaflets
The Melanoma service
Patients are reviewed at St James’s University Hospital (SJUH) by the Leeds Melanoma Team, made up of highly trained and experienced specialists in melanoma skin cancer care and including dermatologists, plastic surgeons, medical and clinical oncologists, radiologists, histo-pathologists, clinical nurse specialists and research nurses.
The Leeds melanoma unit is at the forefront of malignant melanoma research. The department is involved in multiple areas of research and has extensive experience in clinical trials looking at new treatments for melanoma.