What is pediatric melanoma?
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer because it often spreads to other parts of the body. It begins in the melanocytes, which are skin cells that produce a pigment called melanin. Melanin is how your skin, hair and eyes get their color.
Most melanomas begin in the skin, though they can also occur in the eye. Melanoma grows inward, into the skin. From there, it can affect blood vessels and the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system helps tissues and organs fight infections and get rid of toxins in the body. Once a melanoma reaches these systems, it can spread quickly to other organs in the body, such as the lungs or the brain.
What types of pediatric melanoma does St. Jude treat?
The most like adult melanoma in terms of its causes and risk factors.
A large, pigmented mole or birthmark that is present at birth.
The most common type of melanoma in children. It often appears as a small collection of tissue that can be felt under the skin and is usually:
- Round
- Only one color
- Found on the head, hands or legs
How your donation helps support children with melanoma
The generosity of our donors enables us to continue our work by providing:
- Specialized patient care and support: The St. Jude Pediatric and Adolescent Melanoma Referral Clinic provides medical examinations for patients and covers travel, housing and food during the on-site consultation. Patients and their caregivers also receive education and resources.
- Clinical trials: When possible, St. Jude offers access to clinical trials of cutting-edge treatments for qualifying patients. Treatments can include radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy and more.
- Pediatric skin cancer research: Although St. Jude researchers are consistently working toward advances in melanoma treatment for kids with high-risk melanoma, we still have a long way to go.
Your support helps patients like Gideon
Every child deserves a chance to live their best life and celebrate every moment. When you support St. Jude, you can help make cures possible for kids with cancer, like Gideon, who was diagnosed with melanoma. Together, we can save more lives.
St. Jude patient Gideon
How to donate to melanoma research
Your donation helps St. Jude provide breakthrough research, treatment and cures for life-threatening pediatric illnesses, such as melanoma. Your donation is tax-deductible and helps us provide children cutting-edge treatments not covered by insurance, at no cost to families.
Here are some ways to contribute to melanoma research and treatment at St. Jude:
- Make a one-time donation online or via mail. You can also dedicate your donation to someone with a memorial gift.
- Become a St. Jude Partner in Hope when you commit to monthly gifts.
- Find out if your employer will match your donation and find ways to get your workplace involved.
- Create a lasting legacy with planned gifts, such as donating through your will or bequest.
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How does St. Jude use donations?
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How much of $1 donated goes to children and research?
For the past seven years, 82 cents of every dollar received has gone to support the treatment, research and future needs of St. Jude. No family ever receives a bill from St. Jude.
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5 reasons to become a monthly donor
Read our five reasons to make a monthly donation to St. Jude, and help save the lives of kids with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.