St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a leader in pediatric melanoma research and treatment. Each year, we provide treatment and second opinions for patients with pediatric melanoma around the country and beyond.
The St. Jude Pediatric and Adolescent Melanoma Referral Clinic brings patients and families to St. Jude for an expert consultation, as well as medical examinations by leading specialists, educational seminars and an introduction to melanoma-related resources. In addition, if a patient qualifies for a St. Jude clinical trial, our center may be able to offer unique expertise in treatments that include surgery, radiation therapy, local therapies such as hyperthermic limb perfusion, as well as immune and targeted therapies.
Patient families who attend the melanoma clinic are provided travel, housing and meals during the on-site consultation. Following the clinical evaluation, St. Jude will provide a written report, with treatment recommendations, to the family and referring physician.
The next clinic will be held November 1-3, 2023.
Please sign up to stay informed about our clinical trials and be notified of future referral clinic dates.
Patient Eligibility
Patients must be:
- Ages 0-21 years old
- Referred by a physician
- Currently being treated or followed by a physician who requests or supports a consult to optimize the clinical management of the patient
- Diagnosed with melanoma or spitzoid melanoma. (The clinic is not accepting patients with ocular melanoma at this time.)
The benefit for patients and families includes:
Receive Expert Consultation
The clinic is a collaboration among St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine and Le Bonheur Children's Hospital to provide referring physicians and their patients optimal treatment recommendations.
The multidisciplinary team includes pediatric and adult oncologists, pediatric dermatologists and cancer surgeons in a specialty clinic environment. A variety of other experts, such as genetic counselors, diagnostic radiologists, radiation oncologists and child life specialists, will also be available.
Patient Story
Isaiah Mainer recently took part in the Pediatric and Adolescent Melanoma Referral Clinic created for children who were treated at other institutions.
“At St. Jude, we could fill in unanswered questions that we still had,” says his mom.
Connect with Other Families
Pediatric melanoma is very rare, which can make it difficult for patients’ families to connect with one another. The St. Jude Pediatric and Adolescent Melanoma Referral Clinic brings patients and families together for an opportunity to share their experiences and challenges and provide support.
Learn about Resources
In addition to the consultation, patients’ families are invited to an educational seminar to meet with national experts in melanoma.
Participate in Life-Saving Research
St. Jude is at the forefront of genomic research for pediatric cancers. Patients are invited to participate in the St. Jude tissue registry protocol and help shape future research into pediatric melanoma.