Skin Cancer Treatment | MedStar Health

A dermatologist examines the skin of a patient in a clinical setting

With decades of combined experience, our skin cancer specialists are skilled at diagnosing and treating both common and complex skin cancers. Our research engine is the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, the only of its kind in the Washington, D.C., region. This partnership allows us to participate in and lead cutting-edge investigations and clinical trials, which we offer to our patients whenever possible. As a result, you can rest assured you're receiving the most advanced skin cancer treatment available today, including treatment options for melanoma that may not be available elsewhere.

Our approach

If you're diagnosed with skin cancer or seeking a second opinion, you can count on our experienced experts to guide you through your options. Here, we work collaboratively and quickly to diagnose your skin tumor and move to the treatment phase. By involving all of the right doctors from the beginning, you can expect an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan that is personalized and comprehensive, considering all of your best options. This leads to the best possible outcomes in both removing your cancer, preserving your natural appearance, and minimizing the chances of recurrence. Your care may involve several specialists, including:

Dermatologists
Dermatopathologists (doctors with training in pathology and dermatology)
Surgical oncologists
Medical oncologists
Radiation oncologists
Head and neck specialists
Plastic and reconstructive surgeons
And others

We offer all of the standard treatments for skin cancer, as well as innovative options that may not be widely available elsewhere. Depending on your skin cancer type, stage, size, and location, your treatment options may include:

Surgery, including specialized Mohs surgery, which leads to excellent outcomes while preserving healthy tissue
Chemotherapy, including systemic drugs and topical creams that kill cancerous cells
Radiation therapy, including the most advanced technologies that effectively treat cosmetically sensitive areas, like the nose, lips, cheeks, scalp, and neck
Targeted therapy, including state-of-the-art immunotherapies that offer promising results for many patients with advanced, metastatic melanoma
Clinical trials, which allow us to find new ways to identify, treat, and prevent skin cancers
Support services to ensure you are cared for holistically, considering all of your physical and psychosocial needs

Looking for expert cancer care?

With multiple locations throughout the region, patients have access to many of the nation’s renowned cancer specialists offering high quality care, second opinions and a chance for better outcomes close to where they live and work. Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of the nation’s comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), serves as the research engine allowing patients access to clinical trials that often lead to breakthroughs in cancer care.