Melanoma Services
Multidisciplinary Care for the Diagnosis and Treatment of
Melanoma
 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.
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 |
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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.)
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When |
Meets every third Wednesday of the month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. |
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Contact |
For additional information or questions please call Don
Looney at 860-621-0534 or Dr. Jane Grant-Kels at 860-679-3474.
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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. |
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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 |
