Melanoma is highly malignant skin cancer. Though it is not considered a common cancer, approximately 600 Iowans were diagnosed with it last year. The incidence is rising faster than any other cancer. The percentage of people diagnosed with melanoma has doubled in the last 30 years. Though melanoma is considered a fast growing, aggressive tumor, it is highly treatable when it is diagnosed early and treated with surgical removal. Though more advanced disease carries a poor prognosis, newer treatments are beginning to offer some hope for improvement in selected patients.

At the present time, the best hope for control of this disease is early detection. The term melanoma means black tumor, though melanomas can be variable in color. Any spot, lump or bump on the skin that is changing should be evaluated.