Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. It develops from skin cells called melanocytes. Melanoma is slightly more common in females than males. Around 15,400 people are diagnosed with melanoma in the UK each year. That’s 42 new cases every day. Over the last decade, the number of people diagnosed with melanoma in the UK has increased by almost half. Around half of people diagnosed with melanoma in the UK each year are aged 65 and over.

Surgery is the main treatment for skin melanoma. Doctors remove abnormal moles and a small area of surrounding skin. Researchers are investigating biological therapies that use natural body substances, or drugs that block them, to treat cancer. One type of biological therapy that is being tested is melanoma vaccines.

To find out more about melanoma skin cancer and the research that is taking place visit https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/mela...

Uveal melanoma is cancer of the eye that affects the middle layer of the eye called the uvea. This includes the iris and ciliary body at front of the eye and the choroid at the back of the eye. The uveal layer is the most common place for eye cancers to start. The cells that become cancerous in melanoma are called melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that make pigment or colouring and can be found in the lining of the eye. Between 500 and 600 people are diagnosed with uveal melanoma in the UK each year.

Research into uveal melanoma is taking place at CCC. We have clinical trials investigating chemotherapy and immunotherapy for the treatment of uveal melanoma.

To find out more about uveal melanoma visit https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/eye-...