Center for Melanoma, Skin and Soft Tissue Tumors

Skin Conditions

The Melanoma, Skin and Soft Tissue Tumors Center of Excellence at the Saint John’s Cancer Institute provides comprehensive and personalized treatment for patients diagnosed with invasive or non-invasive melanoma, carcinomas, and sarcomas. Our renowned doctors are supported by the most current knowledge of cancer genetics and world-class resources for cancer diagnostics and staging, which improves clinical outcomes. The conditions we treat include:

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Uncontrolled growths or lesions that arise in the skin’s basal cells. (See Basal Cell Carcinoma)

• Open sores on the skin that will not heal
• May appear as a red patch, pink growth, shiny bumps, or scars
• Mostly appear in areas that are exposed to the sun
• Can develop with tanning bed use
• Recurrence of basal cell carcinoma is common

Merkel Cell Carcinoma

A rare and potentially aggressive form of skin cancer that arises in the cells on the outer layer of skin. (See Merkel Cell Carcinoma)

• High cure rate when treated early
• Can grow and spread rapidly
• Growths are often flesh toned but vary in color and size
• Cases appears more often in men
• Increases among those with weakened immune systems

Melanoma Skin Cancer

A serious type of skin cancer that is becoming increasingly common. (See Melanoma Skin Cancer)

• A biopsy is required to determine if cancerous
• Caused by excessive exposure to the Sun and UV
• Can be treated successfully with surgery if found early
• Measured in stages which can escalate and spread to the lymphatic system and organs
• Often presents with family history and having light colored skin

Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Rare tumors that arise from connective and supportive tissue of the body, including fat cells, muscle, nerves, bone, cartilage, vessels or fibrous structures. (See Soft Tissue Sarcoma)

• Occurs in all parts of the body
• Grows gradually as a painless mass
• Generally found by touch vs. visual signs
• Can be difficult to diagnose, requiring specialized techniques

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin

A common type of skin cancer that typically develops in areas of the body that are chronically exposed to the sun. (See Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin)

• Considered not as aggressive as melanoma
• Can become disfiguring and sometimes deadly if allowed to grow
• Occurs more often in men than women
• Appear mostly after age 50 and significantly by age 70

Skin Treatment

Treating skin cancer may require one or more types of treatment, which are prescribed as appropriate to maximize curative effect and improve quality of life. For example, surgery may be followed by radiotherapy depending on the type and stage of the cancer. Additional treatment may include targeted therapy and immunotherapy (helps your immune system fight cancer).

Our goal is to determine the best possible care path for you based on the type and stage of skin condition you have, and your treatment preferences. We are here to support you every step of the way.

Chemotherapy

Medical treatment that addresses cancers that have or can spread to other areas (See Chemotherapy for Skin Cancer)

• Chemotherapy is typically used for skin cancers that have metastasized
• Reduces the speed of fast-growing cancer cells throughout the body
• Encompasses systemic therapies, such as biologic, endocrine, and immunotherapy treatment
• Can be utilized with other types of treatment

Completion Node Dissection

Removes all the Lymph Nodes in the region that the cancer drains into. (See Completion Node Dissection for Skin Cancer)

• An operating room procedure that usually requires an overnight stay
• A biopsy may be performed during the procedure
• Side effect such as swelling, and sensitivity can be expected
• A drain may be utilized temporarily after surgery to reduce fluid build up

Immunotherapy

Helps to fight cancers by helping the body defend itself (See Translational Cancer Immunology)

• Immunotherapy is typically used for metastatic melanoma
• Delivered medically throughout the body
• Higher doses can be delivered directly to the tumor site (intra-tumoral immunotherapy)
• Can help reduce the recurrence of cancer long after primary treatment
• Can be utilized with other types of treatment

Radiotherapy

Focused beams of energy that disrupt tumor growth (See Radiation Oncology)

• Used as an adjunct therapy for skin cancer after lymph node dissection or for cancer recurrence
• Side-effects may include changes in skin color or gland functions when given near sensitive parts of the body
• Used primarily for solid tumors and in difficult to reach areas
• May require specialized imaging to determine the exact location of the tumor
• Can be delivered via external beam or internally using specialized instruments
• Can be utilized with other types of treatment

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

A minimally invasive procedure involving injection of colored dye and radioisotope into the lymphatic system (See Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Skin Cancer)

• Pioneered by the late Dr. Donald Morton of Saint John’s Cancer Institute and used world-wide
• Typically performed within one day
• Helps to pinpoint which lymph nodes may be infected with cancer cells
• Aims to reduce the extent of surgery and related complications
• Involves pathologists who examine each lymph node for signs of cancer cells
• Shown to improve patient survival

Surgery (Wide Local Excision)

Removal of the cancerous tissue as well as a small amount of normal tissues surrounding the lesion (See Surgery for Skin Cancer)

• Performed after confirmation of cancer diagnosis
• An outpatient procedure
• Reduces cancer recurrence by removing cancer cells that may exist close the lesion
• Recovery is expected within a few days

Targeted Therapy

Medical treatment that takes advantage of molecular changes within melanoma tumor cells (See Targeted Therapy for melanoma)

• Used in late-stage disease such as sage IV and as an adjunct therapy for state III
• Given in pill form and taken orally
• Can be utilized with other types of treatment

The Melanoma and Cutaneous Oncology Team is ready to support you and your family. We welcome your questions and recommend coming in for an exam as soon as possible. We will discuss common conditions, treatment options, and offer additional details for each of our services based on your health, as well as other cancer support services.

Contact us today.