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.
