Expert Videos

Jeffrey Weber, MD, PhD, a specialist in melanoma management and cancer immunotherapy from NYU Langone, explains exactly how melanoma cancer gets started. He describes how the body's pigment cells, or melanocytes, may grow out of control, what areas of the body have these cells, how melanoma spreads and when it becomes serious.

Melanoma expert Dr. Jeffrey Weber discusses the most common locations for melanoma on the body, sun exposure as the main cause of melanoma, and how your age when you experience sun damage can make a difference in whether you develop melanoma later in life. He also talks about the less common genetic causes of melanoma, where the disease runs in families.

Dr. Jeffrey Weber, an expert on melanoma, explains the general categories of melanoma: cutaneous, mucosal, and ocular. Cutaneous melanoma is the most common of these categories. Any area of the body with pigment cells can develop melanoma. Different locations include the palms of the hands and soles of the feet (acral melanoma), nail beds (lentiginous melanoma), mucous membranes, such as the vagina or mouth (mucosal melanoma), and eye (uveal or ocular melanoma).

Do you know the melanoma alphabet? Expert Jeffrey Weber, MD, PhD, from NYU Langone Medical Center describes how to check moles on your skin for signs of melanoma using the letters A, B, C, D, and E:

• A – An asymmetrical, or irregular, shape
• B – An irregular or uneven border
• C – More than one color in the same lesion
• D – A diameter bigger than a pencil eraser (about 6 millimeters)
• E – evolution, or change, in the size or color of a mole.

If you notice any of these signs, make an appointment right away to have a dermatologist or primary care physician examine your skin.
Dr. Weber also discusses the most common locations for skin melanoma in men and women, and how other types of melanoma can be found, including sometimes by a dentist or eye doctor. Dr. Weber also discusses the challenge of diagnosing mucous membrane melanoma.

Jeffrey Weber, MD, PhD, describes which skin, hair, eye colors, and national backgrounds make melanoma more or less likely. He talks about the different types of melanoma people tend to develop in different regions of the world, where people are most and least likely to develop melanoma, and how your moles and freckles are important clues to your melanoma risk.

Melanoma expert Dr. Jeffrey Weber of New York University Langone Medical Center describes the two ways melanoma develops in healthy skin. He discusses how changes in your genetic material, or DNA, can cause a normal freckle or mole to transform into cancer. He also explains that melanoma can happen de novo, or on its own, where no freckle or mole was present.

Children can develop melanoma, explains Jeffrey Weber, MD, PhD. This is rare, but has become more common in the last 30 years. Melanoma can be difficult to diagnose in children, as the spot may look like a non-cancerous mole called a "blue nevus". Doctors who specialize in melanoma and other skin cancers may be more able to recognize melanoma in children because they see more cancers overall.

Dr. Jeffrey Weber, a melanoma expert, discusses some of the well-known risk factors for developing melanoma. Although there are several risk factors, it's important to understand that having one or more risk factors does not necessarily mean you will develop cancer and that no one is entirely risk-free. He describes how lifetime sun exposure, the tendency to get a sunburn instead of a tan, and even travel habits can affect melanoma risk. Dr. Weber also discusses genetic mutations associated with melanoma risk, including the P16 mutation in families. Whether you feel you are at risk for melanoma or not, it's important to be familiar with your skin and to do monthly self-exams to look for any changes or abnormalities. It's also important to have regular skin cancer screenings.

Dr. Jeffrey Weber, an expert on melanoma, talks about safe sun practices when you are outdoors, including seeking shade, using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding tanning. He discusses the best times for outdoor activities and gives a list of lifestyle factors that can help you prevent skin melanoma.