Melanoma and Skin Cancer

Skin cancer care at UMass Memorial Health is extraordinary. You have access to a team of experts who offer a depth of experience and deliver personalized care. Our providers from dermatology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, medical oncology and other specialties collaborate closely to give you care tailored to your specific cancer type.

Our capabilities help more people become cancer-free and get back to their busy lives.

Types of Skin Cancer We Treat

Our expertise spans common skin cancers, including:

• Nonmelanoma skin cancer, which includes basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma
• Melanoma

And other more rare skin cancers such as:

• Merkel cell carcinoma
• Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
• Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX)
• Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)
• Sebaceous carcinoma
• Kaposi sarcoma

Our dermatologists also specialize in treating precancerous sun damage (actinic keratoses) to improve skin health and decrease skin cancer risk.

Our Melanoma and Skin Cancer Services

Dermatologists diagnose, manage and treat early-stage skin cancers. Care often starts with a skin check by one of our providers. If necessary, this is followed by a biopsy (removal) of a concerning spot. In some cases, this is the only therapy that’s needed.

If the biopsy shows cancer, your provider will explain your diagnosis and explain your treatment options. 

At UMass Memorial, you have access to an exceptional level of care. Our team includes doctors specializing in different aspects of care for melanoma and other skin cancers. We work together to coordinate the services you need and help you achieve excellent results. 

Advanced Skin Cancer Treatments and Services

Additional services we offer include: 

• Dermatopathology: These doctors evaluate biopsies using sophisticated techniques so we can confirm or rule out cancer with confidence.
• Mohs surgery and cutaneous oncology: We remove certain skin cancers layer by layer. This technique is precise and offers a very high cure rate. Our team includes surgeons specializing in removing difficult-to-treat skin cancers.
• Surgical Oncology: We specialize in surgical techniques for more advanced skin cancers, including melanoma.
• Plastic and reconstructive surgery: We perform procedures to reduce the cosmetic impact of advanced cancers in highly visible areas such as your face.
• Medical oncology: We treat some advanced skin cancers with medications instead of ­–or in addition to – surgery. These treatments can include immunotherapy, CAR T-cell therapy, and targeted therapy.
• Radiation oncology: Radiation therapy uses powerful X-rays to attack cancer cells and prevent them from growing. We sometimes treat more advanced skin cancers with radiation after surgery to achieve the best cure rate.