Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. And the skin cancer experts at the Lynn Cancer Institute treat more skin cancer than any other center in the area – with a personal plan of care.

When skin cancer is found early, treatment is most effective. From screening to diagnosis to treatment, the Lynn Cancer Institute takes a comprehensive approach to detecting and treating skin cancer in its earliest stages.

What type of skin cancer is treated at Boca Raton Regional Hospital?

The specialists at the Lynn Cancer Institute treat all types of skin cancer, including:

  • Basal cell carcinoma –the most common type of skin cancer, found on the areas of the skin that have been most exposed to the sun.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma – cancer that is most often due to chronic sun exposure and found on the top layers of the skin.
  • Melanoma – the most serious skin cancer that forms in the skin’s pigment cells and can spread quickly to other areas of the body.
  • Merkel cell (also called neuroendocrine) carcinoma – a rare cancer that forms in cells very close to nerve endings in the skin.

Each skin cancer has its own risk factors, symptoms, prevention methods and treatment options. Our skin cancer specialists develop your individual treatment plan based on the type of cancer you have, its location and stage as well as your genetic makeup and overall health.

How is skin cancer diagnosed?

At the Lynn Cancer Institute, our skin cancer specialists work together to accurately screen and diagnose skin cancer in its earliest stages.

Skin cancer is screened and often diagnosed during a visit with your dermatologist. The dermatologist looks for suspicious spots on your skin and notes the size, shape, color and texture of each. If cancer is suspected, diagnostic testing is required.

Sometimes, a patient will find a spot or a mole that is new or one that has changed in size, shape or color over time. The Lynn Cancer Institute will screen for skin cancer and conduct diagnostic tests if needed.

Diagnostic testing for skin cancer includes:

  • Biopsy to examine the tissue to determine if cancer is present
  • Sentinel node biopsy to examine lymph nodes to see if cancer has spread beyond the initial tumor location
  • Imaging tests to detect the size and location of the cancer and if it has spread, including:
    • CT scan
    • X-ray
    • MRI
    • PET scan

How is skin cancer treated at the Lynn Cancer Institute?

Immediately after diagnosis, our skin cancer specialists work together to determine the best treatment for you. Most skin cancer cases can be treated with outpatient surgery. For more aggressive skin cancers like melanoma or Merkel cell carcinoma, more extensive treatments are needed.

Depending on your personalized treatment plan, skin cancer treatment can include one or a combination of the following:

  • Surgery to remove cancer cells
  • Chemotherapy to target and destroy cancer cells with anti-cancer drugs
  • Immunotherapy to help your immune system find and attack cancer cells
  • Radiation therapy using beams of radiation to target and destroy cancer cells, including:
    • External beam radiation therapy (EBRT)
    • Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)

Our approach to skin cancer treatment planning

From diagnosis to treatment, the Lynn Cancer Institute skin cancer specialists are here for you in one convenient location. We take a multimodality approach to your care, which combines the expertise of many skin cancer specialists, including dermatology, surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, genetics, pathology, and plastic surgery.

Once you have been diagnosed with skin cancer, you will meet with each member of the skin cancer team to learn about your treatment options. The entire team comes to meet with you and your family in one location. All of your meetings will all be scheduled for the same day, in the same location, and will take about three hours.

After you meet with each skin cancer specialist, the skin cancer team reviews your case. They discuss the stage of your cancer, its exact location and other factors such as your age, overall health and any special needs or preferences you have. Together they design your personalized treatment plan.

Our multidisciplinary, individualized approach leads to effective cancer care with access to comprehensive treatment, care coordination and the support services you need.

Our philosophy of care at the Lynn Cancer Institute

We put you first. Our dedication to each other and our patients is clear as soon as you meet any member of our team.

Our lines of communication are open. We are here to make sure you are informed, aware and well taken care of, from your first visit until your treatment is over.

The skin cancer team at the Lynn Cancer Institute is known for our warm and friendly staff. We have spent many years together as a team of highly trained, skilled professionals -- always with your care our top priority.