Our Dermatology Service includes experts in cutaneous oncology, Mohs surgery, dermatologic surgery, laser surgery, and oncodermatology. They provide compassionate, comprehensive care for patients with melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers, and services to help patients cope with the dermatologic side effects of cancer treatment.
Among our diverse research interests are new ways to detect skin cancer at its earliest stages, including through the use of imaging instruments such as photography, dermoscopy, and confocal laser microscopy. One of the advances pioneered by MSK is 3-D total-body photography, which uses a system of 46 cameras to photograph the body and a computer that assembles the images into a 3-D avatar of the patient. This approach creates a baseline of a person’s entire skin surface, allowing us to track changes in the appearance of moles or lesions.
We also offer an innovative multidisciplinary skin cancer management program that brings together teams of specialists to provide expert, coordinated, and personalized care. We have separate renowned teams specializing in melanoma, advanced basal and squamous cell carcinoma, and cutaneous lymphoma. Each of these teams draws on the expertise of MSK’s world-class specialists in dermatology, Mohs surgery, head and neck surgery, surgical oncology, plastic and reconstructive surgery, medical oncology, pathology, radiation oncology, radiology, genetics, dentistry, nursing, and more.
Our experts are also among the most experienced in the treatment of less common skin malignancies such as Merkel Cell carcinoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, and angiosarcomas.
Our Dermatology Service has pioneered the field of oncodermatology to help prevent and treat the often challenging effects of cancer and cancer therapies on the skin, hair, and nails. Our faculty work closely with colleagues across the full spectrum of cancer care to mitigate cutaneous toxicities and their effects on quality of life, and to facilitate the continuation of effective cancer therapies.
