Our team of leading experts at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center offers patients with cutaneous (skin) cancer the most advanced treatments and state-of-the-art technology coupled with compassionate, supportive care. Our skin cancer team includes experts from a wide range of medical specialties that work together to care for all types of skin cancer, including the most rare and advanced. We diagnose, manage and study skin cancers from the very earliest stages through complex care in the advanced stages.
Our Center for Cutaneous Oncology includes seven subspecialty clinics and programs led by Brigham and Women’s Hospital dermatologists. These include:
- Cutaneous Lymphoma Program: This program provides the most up-to-date, high-quality care for patients with all types of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, cutaneous B-cell lymphoma, and other types of blood cancers that affect the skin. Our team of dermatologic, medical and radiation oncologists see patients with both early stage and advanced or high-risk disease twice a week to discuss treatment plans.
- Cutaneous Sarcoma Clinic: This clinic provides high-quality, compassionate care for patients with cutaneous sarcomas, including Kaposi sarcoma, angiosarcoma, atypical post-radiation vascular proliferations, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and atypical fibroxanthoma. Our specialized team takes a patient-centered approach to care, providing diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and ongoing management for patients with these rare cancers. We also provide second opinions and rapid access for those who are newly diagnosed, including consults with a cutaneous sarcoma oncodermatology expert.
- Extramammary Paget’s Disease (EMPD) Clinic: The EMPD Clinic is one of the only specialty clinic focusing on the diagnosis, treatment and improving outcomes of EMPD in the U.S. Our specialized team is led by dermatologists, radiation oncologists and Mohs surgeons, who work closely with gynecologic oncology, surgical oncology, urology and gastroenterology-oncology to provide treatments that maximize both survival and quality of life.
- High-Risk Genetics and Early Detection Program: This program provides integrated, comprehensive care for patients at high risk for skin cancer due to genetic conditions, such as BRCA mutation, P53 mutation, APC mutation, fumarate hydratase mutation, FAMMM syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, BAP1 mutation, and NF1 mutation. Our dermatology experts coordinate with specialists from genetics, medical oncology, gastroenterology, radiology, and other disciplines to develop a patient-focused, streamlined approach to surveillance.
- Complex Skin Cancer Clinic: This clinic cares for patients with unusual types of non-melanoma skin cancer including high-risk squamous cell carcinoma, advanced basal cell carcinoma, and other rare skin cancers. These aggressive cancers often arise in patients considered high-risk, including those who are immunocompromised due to medications or conditions, like chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or autoimmune diseases. Our expert team is one of the few programs in the U.S. to provide a range of care from diagnosis to management to surveillance for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma.
- Center for Melanoma Oncology: This Center provides comprehensive care to patients with all types of melanoma, including the less common variants such as mucosal, ocular, desmoplastic, and atypical spitzoid melanoma. Patients receive individualized care, with dermatologists playing a key role in their diagnosis, management, and follow-up care. Depending on the type and stage of their melanoma, patients may also see medical oncology, surgical oncology, and radiation oncology on their initial visit. The program is a major center for clinical trials in melanoma. Learn more about melanoma.
- Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) Center of Excellence: This Center provides the most current, high-quality treatment and follow-up for patients with MCC, and is one of the highest-volume centers in the U.S. Our multidisciplinary team takes a patient-centered approach to treatment and is led by dermatologist and specialists from medical, radiation, and surgical oncology, depending on the individual patient’s needs. Following treatment, patients may have long-term follow-up care with dermatology alone or a combination of dermatology and medical oncology.
Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center includes experts across disciplines and specialties from both Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). Our two institutions work together as one, creating a seamless experience for patients while providing top expertise and comprehensive care. As a patient, you will be cared for by some of the world’s leading cancer specialists, including dermatologic oncologists, dermatopathologists, medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists and radiologists. Together, they will develop an individualized treatment plan tailored to your type and stage of skin cancer.
Our board-certified surgeons use the latest surgical techniques, which allow for greater surgical precision, a faster recovery and better outcomes for our patients. Our Mohs Dermatologic Surgery Center located at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital offers highly specialized outpatient treatment of skin cancer for even the most complex cases. And as leading cancer researchers, our physicians make recommendations for skin cancer treatment based on the very latest research.
In addition to providing expert diagnosis and treatment, we offer support services focused on improving your quality of life while navigating cancer treatment. These services include nutritional counseling, emotional and spiritual support, financial advice and complementary therapies, such as acupuncture and massage. Our team is here to help you every step of the way so you can focus on healing.
What Is Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is a common disease that happens when skin cells begin to grow in an abnormal way. This usually occurs when the normal process of replacing old skin cells is disrupted, often by damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays. When cells grow too quickly, they can form tumors. Some of these are harmless, but others can be cancerous and may spread to other parts of the body if not treated early. Regular skin checks and early medical attention are important for finding and treating skin cancer.
Types of skin cancers include:
- Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It is most often found in areas that are exposed to the sun, such as the face, head, neck, arms, and hands. It can look like small, raised bumps on the skin; itchy patches of skin; or a flat, scaly patch; a dark spot with a clear, raised border; or a white, scar-like area with blurry edges. Basal cell carcinoma tends to grow slowly and is unlikely to spread to other parts of the body. However, in patients with certain high-risk conditions or if it is ignored, it can grow to be extensive.
- Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer. It often develops in areas that are exposed to the sun, but can also grow in the genital area, in scars, and in sores. Squamous cell carcinoma often appears like a rough, scaly, reddish patch. It may grow quickly and may spread to nearby lymph nodes, though it does not often spread to other areas of the body. In patients with certain high-risk conditions, it can behave more aggressively.
- Melanoma: Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer that starts in cells called melanocytes, which are found in the deepest part of the skin’s top layer. It can appear anywhere on the body, often starting in a mole. A dangerous skin cancer, melanoma grows quickly and can spread to other organs if not treated early.
- Merkel cell carcinoma is a very rare and very aggressive skin cancer. While it is often found in sun-exposed areas, such as the head and neck, it can develop anywhere on the body. Merkel cell carcinoma appears as shiny, firm bumps that may be pink, red or blue. It can grow quickly and spread beyond the skin to other parts of the body.
- Cutaneous lymphoma: Lymphoma is a type of cancer of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Lymphocytes help protect the body against infections and even some cancers. When lymphocytes programmed to normally live in the skin become cancerous it is called a cutaneous lymphoma, a rare group of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). There are two main types of cutaneous lymphoma: cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (CBCL). CTCLs often causes a red, scaling rash that may look like eczema and can be itchy. CBCLs often present as pink-purple bumps on the skin.
- Cutaneous sarcomas are rare soft tissue cancers that arise in the skin. Examples of cutaneous sarcomas include Kaposi sarcoma, cutaneous angiosarcoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, among others. This type of skin cancer can suddenly appear and have varied appearances, including as a rounded mass under the skin or a bruise-like growth on the skin surface. Certain cutaneous sarcomas can grow rapidly and have the potential to spread to other parts of the body.
- Adnexal neoplasms are rare tumors that include eccrine, apocrine, sebaceous, and hair follicle tumors
- Extramammary Paget's disease is a rare type of skin cancer. It usually appears as a red, scaly or crusty area in the genital area, and tends to grow slowly.
