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Melanoma Services

Multidisciplinary Care for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Melanoma

Photo of Philip Kerr, M.D.Today, many types of skin cancer are on the rise. One of the most serious types of skin cancer is called malignant melanoma. Melanoma Services at the University of Connecticut Health Center provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment for individuals who are newly diagnosed with melanoma or have a history of the disease, or who are at high risk for developing melanoma in the future.

We also provide a holistic approach to treatment which incorporates both medical and emotional care and support for each and every patient. 

Why a Multidisciplinary Approach Is So Important

Malignant melanoma is a type of cancer which begins in the skin. Therefore, the diagnosis is made by a complete skin examination. If diagnosed and treated early, melanomas are often curable. However, if left untreated or diagnosed in a later stage, melanomas have the potential to spread to other parts of the body. Because of these ongoing risks and potential complications, optimal care requires coordination of care between a variety of specialties, which may include:

  • Dermatology
  • Dermatopathology/Surgical Pathology
  • Surgery
  • Medical Oncology

There are also hereditary syndromes in which a patient can have a family history of melanoma and multiple pigmented lesions on the skin which put them at a higher risk for developing this form of cancer. These patients require close monitoring to detect any changes as early as possible.

Figure1: Large, plump osteoclasts (OCL) resorbing bone (BONE). The divots in the adjacent bone indicate that these osteoclasts are active.

Standing: Jeffrey Spiro, M.D., Philip Kerr, M.D., James Whalen, M.D.
Seated: Upendra Hegde, M.D., Jane M. Grant-Kels, M.D., Chairwoman of the Department of Dermatology, Lori Wilson, M.D., Michael Murphy, M.D.

 

Full Services for the Care and Treatment of Melanoma

Comprehensive services, available through our outpatient area or hospital, include:

  • Complete medical and dermatological and surgical evaluation
  • Diagnosis of suspicious skin lesions
  • Pathological review of skin biopsies by dermatologists, surgical pathologists and dermatopathologists
  • Surgical treatment of melanomas
  • Sentinel node biopsy
  • Whole body digital photography of pigmented lesions which provide a baseline for early detection of melanoma
  • Genetic counseling
  • Multidisciplinary follow-up for patients with a history of melanoma
  • Adjuvant medical therapy for high-risk melanoma patients
  • Standard treatment options for advanced melanoma Investigational therapies for melanoma, including tumor vaccines

Education and Information to Prevent Skin Cancer

In addition to diagnosis and treatment of melanoma, an important part of our mission is to educate the public about the warning signs of skin cancer, how to do a self-skin examination and sun protective measures.

To arrange for a consultation with Melanoma Services, contact us and we'll be glad to help.

Melanoma Support Group Meetings
Where

Dowling South Building
UConn Health Center
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06030

Conference room on the second floor.

(Exit 39 off of I-84. Follow the signs to the Health Center: At the first traffic light, make your first right onto Farmington Avenue. Enter the Health Center campus through the main entrance off of Farmington Avenue. At the first stop sign, make a right onto Dowling Way. At the end of this short road, turn left. The building you see is Dowling South.)

When

Meets every third Wednesday of the month from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Contact

For additional information or questions please call Don Looney at 860-621-0534 or Dr. Jane Grant-Kels at 860-679-3474.

All melanoma patients, families and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Donald Looney, a retired social worker from Southington, was diagnosed with melanoma 12 years ago. Looney never saw himself as a victim. He conquered this potentially deadly disease by investigating the latest in medical care thereby obtaining a melanoma vaccine and surviving various surgeries as well as investigating alternative therapies including nutrition and exercise. He also started a melanoma support group for Connecticut patients fighting the same battle he fought.

Now Don Looney and Dr. Jane Grant-Kels, a dermatologist at UConn who heads the Melanoma Program, have joined forces and become a team to try to make this support group available to more patients. In addition, Dr. Grant-Kels will help “support the support group” by making speakers of interest available to the group. Oncologists, dermatologists, surgeons, nutritionists, psychiatrists all can be invited to speak with the group and answer their questions.

The support group is for all patients in Connecticut and Massachusetts willing to drive to the central location off of I-84. Patients from other hospitals, physicians, etc. are urged to take advantage of the emotional support and information offered by this group of patients.

 

Our Specialists

Contact Information

Farmington
263 Farmington Avenue
Dowling South Medical Building

Directions

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 860-679-4600
Fax: 860-679-1248

Office Hours for Melanoma Clinic
The clinic is for new melanoma patients and for patients with deep lesions and metastases.

Third Wednesday of each month, 1 to 5 p.m.
Phone: 860-679-4600
Fax: 860-679-1248

  
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