Melanoma and Advanced Skin Cancer
Receiving a diagnosis of melanoma or advanced skin cancer can be overwhelming. We’re here to make things a little easier. At Trinity Health Michigan, you receive exceptional, seamless cancer care that’s centered on your needs.
Our program focuses exclusively on treating people with melanoma and advanced squamous and basal cell carcinoma. We coordinate your care at every step, so you can focus on healing. You receive the latest, most advanced treatments from compassionate providers.
Melanoma and Advanced Skin Cancer Care at Trinity Health Michigan: Why Choose Us?
We combine leading-edge care with a warm, community hospital atmosphere. Our specialized program for advanced skin cancer includes:
- Dedicated nurse navigator: From day one, you’re connected to a nurse navigator who specializes in supporting patients with advanced skin cancer. Your nurse navigator coordinates your care and helps you schedule the necessary appointments. They also help you find mental health care, community resources and support groups when you need them.
- Comprehensive team: Melanoma and advanced squamous cell cancers require care from multiple cancer experts. Our cancer center includes every specialist you need, from dermatologists, Mohs surgeons, and plastic surgeons to medical and radiation oncologists.
- Precise diagnosis: Our team includes one of the few dermatopathology groups in the state. Dermatopathologists have specialized training in pathology and dermatology to diagnose skin cancers with unmatched precision and skill.
- Tumor board expertise: At our tumor boards, groups of specialists meet regularly to discuss complex cancers. This leading group of experts reviews your case and provides valuable treatment recommendations.
- Forefront of cancer research: We are actively involved in clinical trials and studies for melanoma and advanced squamous and basal cell carcinoma. You may be able to participate in these trials and access the latest treatments before they’re widely available.
- Groundbreaking therapies: We deliver the latest skin cancer treatments, including immunotherapy for melanoma. This innovative therapy can prevent the spread of aggressive skin cancers, including types that were previously considered untreatable.
Melanoma and Advanced Skin Cancer Treatments We Provide
As our patient, you receive a fully personalized care plan based on:
- Diagnosis and tumor characteristics, provided by our expert dermatopathologists
- Recommendations and input from our tumor board
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy (if needed), an advanced test that shows whether cancer has spread to your lymph nodes
- Your health status and lifestyle
Once your care plan is in place, your nurse navigator coordinates your treatment, which may include:
- Skin cancer surgery: Our dermatologists, Mohs surgeons, and plastic surgeons specialize in removing melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. We perform the most effective procedures, including Mohs surgery, in which we remove cancerous layers one at a time while preserving healthy skin. Our team also performs wide excisions, removing the entire cancerous area and some healthy tissue to prevent cancer from returning.
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery: Our plastic surgeons are experts in rebuilding areas of the body and face after skin cancer removal. We explain your options for reconstruction and develop a plan that fits your preferences.
- Immunotherapy: This leading-edge cancer treatment uses your immune system to seek out and destroy cancer cells. Our team includes physicians with advanced training in the latest immunotherapies to treat melanoma and advanced squamous and basal cell carcinoma.
- Medical oncology: You may receive some skin cancer treatment as an IV infusion. At our modern infusion suites, caring medical oncology nurses focus on your comfort. And our board-certified medical oncologists are leaders in their field with years of experience treating the most complex cancers. Learn more about medical oncology.
- Radiation oncology: We provide the latest radiation therapy for advanced squamous and basal cell carcinoma. Our targeted methods attack cancer cells while protecting surrounding, healthy tissue. Find out more about radiation oncology.
- Complete follow-up care: After you finish your cancer treatment, you receive ongoing care from our board-certified dermatologists. Your dermatologist performs exams and orders tests to help prevent cancer from coming back (recurring).