Skin Cancers are a group of diseases including Melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The non-melanomas are typically slow growing and curable with surgical resection. By contrast, melanoma is a highly aggressive and life-threatening cancer. Exposure to sunlight is the major risk factor for skin cancers. A "mole" that changes in size, shape or color should be evaluated.

Treatment of skin cancer varies by type of cancer. Basal cell carcinomas are typically cured by surgery alone. Squamous cell cancers are slightly more aggressive and may require surgery and chemotherapy. Melanomas are very aggressive cancers that may require extensive surgery, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. The prognosis in melanoma is determined by the tumor’s size (and depth) and degree of spread to distant organs such as the eye, liver or brain. Medications occasionally used in the treatment of melanoma include interferon, interleukin-2, dacarbazine, and tamoxifen.

Skin Cancers are not currently treated with transplantation at Hackensack University Medical Center. However, the physicians at the Northern New Jersey Cancer Center are experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Active research studies on skin cancers include:

1. Phase III study of adjuvant ganglioside vaccination versus high-dose alpha interferon in high-risk melanoma.
2. Randomized phase III trial of concurrent biochemotherapy with cisplantin, vinblastine, DTIC, interleukin-2 plus interferon versus cisplantin, vinblastine, DTIC alone in metastatic melanoma For more information on these protocols call (201) 996-5900.