Cancer Center

Skin Cancer Program

Care for Melanoma & Other Skin Cancers

The Skin Cancer Program at Tufts Medical Center is one of the largest skin and soft tissue cancer programs in the Northeast. Each year, we treat hundreds of patients with all forms of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, including tumors that have failed to respond to conventional care elsewhere.

Whether your tumor requires a simple biopsy or more extensive treatment, we provide the high-quality, personalized care you deserve.

How much do you know about skin cancer prevention? Take this quick quiz:

I Have Skin Cancer; What Happens Now?

Skin cancer is common and highly treatable, but it's still alarming to receive a diagnosis. You may have many concerns about your treatment, such as the possibility of scarring or that your cancer might reoccur. That's why our doctors take the time to sit down with you, answering your questions and developing a care plan that's personalized to your needs.

Your treatment depends on factors like:

  • The size, type and location of the skin cancer
  • The chances that the cancer is aggressive or likely to recur
  • Your preferences regarding the appearance of the area after treatment

What Are the Treatment Options at Tufts MC?

For low-risk tumors, your doctor may treat your skin cancer by:

  • Freezing the tumors (cryosurgery)
  • Removing the tumors with electrical currents (electrosurgery)
  • Prescribing medicated creams (topical therapy)

Some tumors are more aggressive and may require one or more of the following approaches:

  • Surgery
  • Chemotherapy
  • Immunotherapy (using the body's natural immune responses to fight cancer)
  • Radiation treatment

Our patients also have access to promising new therapies through clinical trials, some of which are led by Tufts MC specialists. Call us today at 617-636-6227 or request an appointment online with one of our specialists.

Surgery with a Cure Rate of Up to 99 Percent

For more advanced surgical care, we're one of a very small number of U.S. cancer centers to offer Mohs micographic surgery. This outpatient procedure is performed under local anesthesia.

During the procedure, your surgeon removes and evaluates skin layers one at a time, stopping when the tumor is eliminated. This makes Mohs surgery a good option for patients with cancer in visible or difficult-to-treat areas, such as the face or hands.

The Mohs surgery cure rate for primary basal and squamous cell tumors is 99 percent. For tumors that have failed to respond to conventional treatment, the cure rate is 95 percent.

A Team Approach to Treating Skin Cancer

Our care team is made up of experts from across Tufts MC, including medical oncologists, dermatologists, pathologists and various surgical specialists. Everyone works together to offer you the most effective and up-to-date treatments for melanoma and other skin malignancies.

David E. Wazer, MD

David E. Wazer, MD

Virtual Appointments Available

Title(s): Radiation Oncologist-in-Chief and Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology, Tufts Medical Center; Chair and Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Radiation Oncology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-6161
Fax #: 617-636-4513

Oncologic consultation for general radiotherapy, breast cancer, including postlumpectomy radiotherapy for breast preservation, melanomas, including ocular melanoma, gastrointestinal carcinoma, brachytherapy, stereotactic radiotherapy and radiosurgery

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Katrinka L. Heher, MD

Katrinka L. Heher, MD

Accepting New Patients

Title(s): Director, Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgery Service; Director, Aesthetic Eyelid and Facial Surgery; Director, Ophthalmic Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship Program; Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Ophthalmology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-7770
Fax #: 617-636-0759

Oculoplastic, orbital and reconstructive surgery, aesthetic and cosmetic surgery

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Mitesh Kapadia, MD, PhD

Mitesh Kapadia, MD, PhD

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Accepting New Patients

Virtual Appointments Available

Title(s): Ophthalmologist; Oculoplastics Specialist; Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Ophthalmology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-7770
Fax #: 617-636-0759

Oculoplastics, orbital and aesthetic surgery

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Arnold S. Lee, MD

Arnold S. Lee, MD

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Accepting New Patients

Virtual Appointments Available

Title(s): Director, Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Co-Director, Cleft Lip and Palate Program; Otolaryngologist; Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Otolaryngology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-7702
Fax #: 617-636-1479

Facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, aesthetic facial plastic surgery, aging face rejuvenation, face lifts, brow lifts, blepharoplasty, septal deviation, rhinoplasty/revision rhinoplasty, cosmetic filler, lipodystrophy & lipatrophy of the head, face and neck, Mohs reconstruction, cleft lip and palate, trauma and craniofacial surgery, mandible and facial fractures, nasal obstruction, head and neck reconstruction following cancer resection

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John E. Mignano, MD, PhD

John E. Mignano, MD, PhD

Virtual Appointments Available

Title(s): Radiation Oncologist; Clinic Director; Associate Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Radiation Oncology, Pediatric Radiation Oncology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-6161
Fax #: 617-636-4513

Oncologic consultation for general radiotherapy and Gamma Knife, pediatric radiation oncology, lung cancer

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Bichchau Michelle Nguyen, MD, MPH

Bichchau Michelle Nguyen, MD, MPH

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Accepting New Patients

Title(s): Director, Mohs Micrographic Surgery; Dermatologist; Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Dermatology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-0156
Fax #: 617-636-8316

Mohs micrographic surgery, dermatology surgery, high-risk squamous cell carcinoma, high-risk basal cell carcinoma, stage 0/I melanoma, skin cancers in organ transplant recipients, patients with history of lymphoma/leukemia or other type of immunosuppression, non-surgical management of basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma including topical and intra-lesional chemotherapy, basal cell nevus syndrome and other genetic predisposition to skin cancers, patients with history of multiple skin cancers, recurrent skin cancers or difficult to manage skin cancers

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Miriam O'Leary, MD, FACS

Miriam O'Leary, MD, FACS

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Accepting New Patients

Virtual Appointments Available

Title(s): Chair, Department of Otolaryngology, Tufts Medical Center; Otolaryngologist; Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Otolaryngology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-3030
Fax #: 617-636-1479

Head and neck cancer, management of thyroid cancer and hyperparathyroidism, head and neck reconstruction including microvascular techniques, management of radiation-related complications

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Lori Pai, MD

Lori Pai, MD

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Accepting New Patients

Virtual Appointments Available

Title(s): Hematologist/Oncologist; Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Medicine, Hematology/Oncology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-6227
Fax #: 617-636-8538

Lung cancer, melanoma, thoracic cancer

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Richard O. Wein, MD, FACS

Richard O. Wein, MD, FACS

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Accepting New Patients

Virtual Appointments Available

Title(s): Chief, Division of Head and Neck Surgery; Associate Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
Department(s): Otolaryngology
Appt. Phone: 617-636-8711
Fax #: 617-636-1479

Head and neck surgical oncology, head and neck reconstruction, management of salivary and thyroid disorders, management of radiation-related complications, maxillofacial trauma, sleep apnea and sleep endoscopy

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We appreciate the importance of maintaining close relationships with referring physicians and will communicate with you throughout your patient's course of treatment.