OBJECTIVES: To estimate the costs associated with melanoma for Russia in 2009. METHODS: Prevalence-based cost-of-illness analysis (COI) was performed from the payer’s point of view (national and regional governments). Direct medical costs (hospital and outpatient services and drugs provided in outpatient care), non-medical costs (monetary payments in social benefits) and indirect costs (projected productivity loss due to sickness and disability) associated with melanoma in Russia in 2009 were calculated. We obtained the data for analysis from the national statistics, regional cancer and prescription registries, expert panel interviews and literature. The costs were calculated for the total population of melanoma patients in Russia. To calculate direct medical costs, we used national reimbursement rates per unit of care (1 hospital day or 1 visit to an out-patient oncology clinic) and regional data on melanoma drug costs. To access non-medical costs, we used data on social benefits expenditures. Indirect costs were estimated with friction costs method. RESULTS: The total costs of melanoma in Russia in 2009 was 771,2 million RUR (€18,8mln), or 11 314 RUR (€275,9) as average cost per patient per year. Almost half of total costs (48.3%) occur in patients during the 1st year after diagnosis. The direct medical costs accounted for 52,41% of total spending, direct non-medical costs – for 34,9%, and indirect costs  – for 12,69%. Direct medical costs represented 72,8%of total spending in melanoma patients within the 1styear after the diagnosis; during the subsequent years after the diagnosis this number reduces to 34,2%. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis demonstrates that the most significant part of medical costs for melanoma occur during the 1st year after diagnosis that corresponds with the results of other COI studies in oncology; in subsequent years the main costs are outside the scope of health care system.