GLOUCESTER HOUSE
PRINCE ALFRED HOSPITAL
CAMPERDOWN, NSW 2050
PH: 02 9515 8537
FAX: 02 9550 6316

The Sydney Melanoma Unit is a clinical unit of the Department of Surgery of the University of Sydney.  It is based in the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and is one of the few units in the world dedicated specifically to providing management for people with melanoma.  The SMU is the largest treatment centre of its kind in the world, conducts a broad ranging programme of clinical and biological research on melanoma.  It has the world's largest data base of melanoma patients (15,000+) and treats in excess of 750 new patients diagnosed with melanoma each year.  Clinics are conducted within the Unit every day and more than 10,000 people with melanoma and skin cancer are seen through this clinical service.

Early Melanoma is totally curable. If melanomas of this type are diagnosed early  minor surgery is all that is required

Basal Cell Carcinoma is the commonest form of skin cancer arising as a small ulcer or a small nodule of greyish tissue, usually on exposed areas of skin. It is easily treated and totally curable unless ignored

Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Less common than Basal  Cell Carcinoma but more common than Melanoma, this cancer is most closely related to sunlight exposure. Usually curable with simple surgery provided it is not ignored

Nodular Melanoma The most dangerous form of melanoma, arising as a small lump on pure melanoma tissue in the skin.  The risk of death from this melanoma increases rapidly as the tumour buries deeper in the skin.

Acral Lentiginous Melanoma This is the melanoma which occurs on the thickened skin of the soles of the feet and the palms of the hand.  It also occurs under the nails . This is the commonest form of melanoma in people with darker skin.

Lentigo Maligna Melanoma
(Hutchinson's melanotic freckle melanoma)

These melanomas occur in pigmented patches mostly on the face and upper body where sunlight exposure is greatest. It grows more slowly than the other forms of melanoma, but it eventually becomes just as    dangerous if not effectively treated.

Dysplastic Naevus (Atypical Mole)
These moles are irregular in shape and have variable pigmentation. They must be watched for change.

Keratotic Skin ( Sunspots)
Keratoses are the commonest evidence of sun damage to the skin. They are not malignant but require simple skin treatment