Chicago Skin Cancer and Melanoma Care
Skin cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in the United States. In fact, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70. The threat is especially strong in Illinois, Wisconsin and other Midwestern states, which have experienced an alarming uptick in melanoma — the most severe skin cancer — as well as other types of skin cancer.
That’s why City of Hope® Cancer Center Chicago is bringing more options to patients in Illinois, Wisconsin and surrounding areas through its Chicago Skin Cancer and Melanoma Program — home to experts who specialize in screening, diagnostics and treatments for skin cancer and benign (noncancerous) skin conditions.
Skin Cancer Care in the Chicagoland Area
With skin cancer, innovation and collaboration matter. It’s a combination patients can count on at City of Hope Chicago’s Skin Cancer and Melanoma Program, where experts treat all stages of disease — from initial diagnosis to advanced stages. This spans recurrent and metastatic disease and skin reactions from certain cancer therapies, such as immunotherapy and radiation.
Our clinical program offers the following treatments:
Dermatologic Surgery
- Mohs micrographic surgery with reconstruction for skin cancer including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma in situ (stage 0) and other skin cancers
- “Slow Mohs,” or staged excision, for melanoma, including melanoma in situ and invasive melanoma
- Biopsies to definitively diagnose skin growths including cancer
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy when there’s a high risk of melanoma spreading
Medical Oncology
- Chemotherapies
- Targeted therapies, especially in treating advanced melanomas when specific gene mutations, most notably BRAF and MEK mutations, are identified
- Immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy and oncolytic virus therapy
- Genomic testing
- Clinical trials on melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers
Radiation Oncology
Radiation therapy is occasionally used for large, inoperable nonmelanoma skin tumors, and to treat skin cancer metastases (spreading of cancer). Treatments include:
- External beam radiation therapy (EBRT)
- Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)
- Brachytherapy
What Sets Our Illinois Program Apart?
With every step you take in your skin cancer journey, you can experience the City of Hope difference — specialization, speed, innovation — right here in Illinois at locations in Lake County, downtown Chicago and the North Shore. When you choose to treat with us, you can expect:
Lifesaving speed to care, with appointments in as little as 24 hours and treatment plans within five to seven days
Integrated team under one roof, including surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, pathologists and supportive care providers with expertise in treating all forms of skin cancer and related skin reactions
Sophisticated surgical techniques, ranging from Mohs micrographic surgery to minimally invasive robotic surgeries for advanced, performed by highly trained surgical oncologists and plastic surgeons including Gaurav Singh, M.D., a board-certified, fellowship-trained dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon with more than 10,000 Mohs procedures to his name
Safe, high-quality care, with accreditations including:
- Commission on Cancer, a quality program of the American College of Surgeons
- Accreditation Program for Excellence® (APEx), sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)
- Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®), a certification program of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Precision medicine, such as tumor testing and customized drug therapy tailored to the molecular profile of specific skin cancers
Access to clinical trials, including novel drug therapies and combinations to treat skin cancer and melanoma
Long-term survivorship program, focused on improving quality of life
Dermatology Services in Chicago
At the Chicago Skin Cancer and Melanoma Program, on-site dermatologists specialize in diagnosing and treating a wide array of noncancerous (benign) conditions that affect the skin, hair or nails, including:
- Inflammatory skin conditions like acne, psoriasis and eczema and other “rashes”
- Skin growths, including lumps and bumps
- Hair loss
- Nail disorders
- Reactions to radiation, chemotherapy or immunotherapy
- Cosmetic concerns
Our dermatology team selects oral, topical or injectable treatments based on your condition and needs.
To support skin cancer prevention and detection, we also offer comprehensive routine skin checks. When caught early, the five-year relative survival rate for melanoma is 99%.
Our Chicago Skin Cancer Experts
At City of Hope Chicago, you’re in expert hands, from skin cancer prevention and screenings to diagnosis and treatment. Whether you’re diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma or a rare skin cancer, our team of dermatologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and other specialists are here to deliver leading-edge care, with lifesaving speed, including advanced treatments such as Mohs surgery in Chicago.
Dr. Singh is a dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon, diagnosing and treating a wide range of skin cancers. To date, he has performed more than 10,000 Mohs surgeries.
Dr. Winchester is a surgical oncologist with nearly three decades of surgical experience, including procedures for breast, skin and thyroid cancers.
Dr. Farrington specializes in the treatment of multiple cancers, including breast and lung cancer, and is involved in clinical trial research to help advance cancer care.
Dr. Shah is Chief of Radiation Oncology. He specializes in radiation therapy for a variety of cancers, and is skilled in hypofractionated approaches.
Dr. Pelletier is an expert in complex and minimally invasive surgical techniques for reconstruction of parts of the body.
Contact Our Illinois Skin Cancer Team
Find expert, personalized skin cancer care at City of Hope locations in Illinois.