The Division of Cutaneous Oncology provides specialized care for patients with malignant and premalignant tumors of the skin. The Division focuses on the diagnosis and surgical management of common skin cancers and complex cutaneous tumors, including keratinocyte carcinomas such as basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, melanocytic lesions including melanoma and atypical or dysplastic nevi, adnexal tumors, cutaneous lymphomas, Merkel cell carcinoma, and metastatic skin disease.

Early detection, accurate diagnosis, and risk stratification are essential components of cutaneous oncology care and help guide treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes. As Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons with expertise in cutaneous surgical oncology, the Division's surgeons manage patients throughout the continuum of surgical care, from initial evaluation and tumor excision through reconstruction.

The Division balances effective oncologic treatment with preservation of function and cosmesis. Specialized surgical techniques and multidisciplinary collaboration are used to address complex, high-risk, and advanced cutaneous malignancies. 

The Division of Cutaneous Oncology provides comprehensive diagnostic, surgical, and reconstructive care for patients with benign, premalignant, and malignant cutaneous lesions.

Diagnostic Evaluation and Surgical Management

Clinical care includes evaluation of suspicious lesions and interpretation of biopsy findings, as well as diagnostic biopsies using shave, punch, or excisional techniques when appropriate. Surgical treatment includes tumor excision and margin management based on the type, location, and risk profile of each lesion.

For melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and other high-grade cutaneous malignancies, treatment may include wide local excision using established oncologic margin principles. Staged excision may also be performed for large, recurrent, or ill-defined tumors when appropriate.

Reconstruction

The Division provides reconstructive care following tumor removal and reconstruction of defects resulting from Mohs micrographic surgery performed by dermatology colleagues. Reconstructive options are individualized based on the size, location, and complexity of the defect and may include:

• Primary closure

• Local skin flaps

• Split- and full-thickness skin grafts

• Complex flap reconstruction, including advancement, rotation, and transposition flaps

The goal of reconstruction is to restore function and appearance while supporting appropriate oncologic management.

Lymph Node Assessment and Management

For selected patients, care may include lymph node assessment and surgical management. Sentinel lymph node biopsy may be performed for appropriately selected patients with melanoma or cutaneous adnexal tumors. Regional lymph node excision involving the neck, axilla, or groin may also be performed when clinically indicated.

Multidisciplinary Care

Complex cutaneous malignancies often require coordinated care across multiple specialties. The Division works closely with Dermatology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, and Pathology to develop individualized treatment plans. The team also participates in multidisciplinary tumor board discussions at affiliated cancer and hospital programs.

The Division of Cutaneous Oncology is focused on advancing the understanding and treatment of skin cancer and complex cutaneous tumors. Areas of clinical and academic interest include the early detection and risk stratification of cutaneous malignancies, optimization of surgical treatment, oncologic margin management, lymph node assessment, and reconstruction following tumor removal.

Research and scholarly activity may also examine factors that influence the development and progression of skin cancer. Important areas of interest include ultraviolet exposure, immunosuppression, genetic predisposition, chronic inflammation, environmental exposures, and other risk factors associated with melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and rare cutaneous malignancies.

Through multidisciplinary collaboration, the Division seeks to improve treatment strategies and outcomes while balancing oncologic control with the preservation of function and cosmesis.

The Division of Cutaneous Oncology provides educational opportunities focused on the evaluation and surgical management of skin cancer and complex cutaneous tumors. Learners gain exposure to the principles of cutaneous oncology, including lesion assessment, biopsy techniques, interpretation of pathology findings, oncologic excision, margin management, lymph node evaluation, and reconstruction following tumor removal.

Educational experiences also emphasize the multidisciplinary nature of cutaneous oncology. Students, residents, and trainees have opportunities to learn how surgeons collaborate with specialists in dermatology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, and pathology to develop comprehensive treatment plans for patients with complex or high-risk cutaneous malignancies.

Through clinical care, surgical training, multidisciplinary discussions, and tumor board participation, the Division provides education in the principles of oncologic surgery while emphasizing the importance of balancing cancer control with functional and aesthetic outcomes.