Melanoma
Overview
What is melanoma
Melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, is a cancer of the pigment containing cells called melanocytes. Melanoma may also occur less commonly in the eyes, intestines, or other internal organs. Basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas are the more common types of skin cancer, but are not as aggressive as melanoma in spreading to other parts of the body.
How common is melanoma
There are estimated to be 87,110 lung cancer cases in the United States in 2017.1
Questions regarding your melanoma therapy
You can reach the Accredo oncology care team, anytime, day or night, seven days a week by phone or online.
24-hour Customer Service Center
Send a Message
Note: Most messages received via the online contact form will be responded to within one business day of receipt, Monday - Friday (excluding holidays). For urgent matters, please call us for immediate support.
1. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/melan.html as of 7/26/17
Symptoms
What are the symptoms of melanoma
While there are a variety of types of melanoma, typically initial signs of melanoma present as a change in an existing mole or the development of a new growth on your skin. Because melanoma can occur in difficult to view locations as well such as the digestive tract or urinary tract, symptoms are not always easily detected.
How is it diagnosed
Diagnosis is most accurately done by tissue biopsy. Visual symptoms often are easy ways to detect signs of melanoma, such as signs in an atypical mole. A common method for remembering these common signs of melanoma include the A-B-C-D-E’s of melanoma:
- A= Asymmetrical: If the mole does not have a symmetrical shape it could be a sign of melanoma
- B= Border: A jagged edged border where the edges are not even and smooth can indicate melanoma
- C= Color: A variety of colors could indicate melanoma, such as the presence of black, brown, tan, red, white or blue
- D= Diameter: A good way to gauge the size of a mole is to compare it to the eraser end of a pencil. If it is larger than that, it is a possible sign of melanoma
- E= Evolving: Any change in the appearance of the mole may indicate melanoma and should prompt a visit to the doctor for evaluation
Medications
Melanoma
Accredo, a specialty pharmacy for melanoma, dispenses specialty and non-specialty melanoma medications including (but not limited to):
| Drug | Generic/Biosimilar | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|
| Cotellic® (cobimetinib) | Genentech | |
| Intron A® (interferon alpha-2b, recombinant) | Merck | |
| Mekinist (trametinib) | Novartis | |
| Opdivo® (nivolumab) | BMS | |
| Proleukin® (aldesleukin) | Prometheus | |
| Sylatron (peginterferon alfa-2b) | Merck | |
| Tafinlar® (dabrafenib) | Novartis | |
| Yervoy® (ipilimumab) | Bristol-Myers Squibb | |
| Zelboraf® (vemurafenib) | Genentech |
Accredo also dispenses traditional chemotherapy medications as well as supportive care medications ordered by your prescriber that are not listed above.
Financing Your Care
Financial assistance coordination may be available to help with your medication costs, including manufacturer and community programs. Accredo representatives are available to help find a program that may work for you.
- Patient Access Network Foundation | (866) 316-7263
- Good Days (Chronic Disease Fund) | (877) 968-7233
Financial Guidance
Life-saving specialty medication can be expensive. Learn how the Accredo teams help individuals find ways to afford the medication they need to survive in this video.
Find Support
There are many organizations that support research and advocacy for melanoma. See below for a few of those organizations.
Melanoma/Skin Cancer Organizations
- Melanoma Research Foundation
- American Melanoma Foundation
- Melanoma International Foundation
- Impact Melanoma
- Melanoma Education Foundation
- Skin Cancer Foundation
Cancer Support Organizations
There are many organizations that support research and advocacy for cancer. See below for a few of those organizations.
- American Cancer Society
- American Society of Clinical Oncology
- Association of Cancer Online Resources
- Cancer Support Community
- Livestrong Foundation
- OncoLink
- National Foundation for Cancer Research
- Prevent Cancer Foundation
- Conquer Cancer Foundation
- Inspire.com
- CancerCare
- Cancer GRACE
- National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network
- Patient Advocate Foundation
Government Organizations
Meet the Team
Accredo’s oncology care team is dedicated to serving you and we understand the complexity of your condition. Our specialty-trained clinicians are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to answer any questions.
Why We Do It
Accredo supports patients with chronic and complex conditions and helps them live their best life. Watch our video to learn why we do what we do for our patients.
24-hour Customer Service Center
Send a Message
Note: Most messages received via the online contact form will be responded to within one business day of receipt, Monday - Friday (excluding holidays). For urgent matters, please call us for immediate support.