Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers and its prevalence is increasing.
Nebraska Medicine has some of the most experienced doctors in the Midwest whose primary focus is treating skin cancer of all types.
Skin cancer is on the rise. Approximately one in four Americans will develop two of the most common types of skin cancer, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, which are highly treatable. Melanoma – the most serious skin cancer – also appears to be increasing. The good news is that we are seeing better outcomes, suggesting that we may be doing a better job of identifying it earlier and treating it more effectively. Our experts use the most current and advanced treatments to give you the best outcomes. More aggressive tumors or those located on the head and neck can be treated with Mohs micrographic surgery, which provides the highest cure rate with minimal scarring. Patients undergoing cancer treatment at Nebraska Medicine also have access to our 24/7 Infusion Center at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, which serves as both a treatment center and 24/7 urgent-care-type facility – a rare offering in the region.
Types of Skin Cancer
- Basal Cell Carcinoma
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Melanoma
- Merkel Cell Tumors
- Dermatofibrosarcoma Proturberans
Patient Guides
Come to Nebraska Medicine for Skin Cancer Treatment Because we Offer:
Therapies Tailored to your Personal History and Tumor Characteristics
Our doctors use the most advanced and cutting edge treatments that may include one or a combination of radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. Each plan is focused on treating your particular cancer at your particular stage.
Certain Kinds of Chemotherapy Involve Fewer Side Effects
We are increasingly able to offer innovative chemotherapy treatments with less intense side effects like hair loss and feeling noxious.
A Cutaneous Oncology (skin cancer) Care Team
At Nebraska Medicine, we believe a group of experts reviewing your case is far better than any single doctor. That means you will have a full team of specialists including medical oncologists, dermatologists, cancer surgeons, Mohs surgeons, plastic reconstructive surgeons, radiation oncologists, and pathologists advising on your case. Locally advanced basal cell carcinoma, high-risk squamous cell carcinoma and other rare tumors of the skin can be treated by our full team of specialists, who focus exclusively on the treatment of skin cancer and have special expertise in treating aggressive and complex tumors.
The Latest in Immunotherapy Techniques
We are using the very latest gene sequencing techniques in order to make the therapies we provide as tailored to you as humanly possible, including using your own immune system to help you fight the disease, in an emerging field of medicine called immunotherapy.
An Established Skin Cancer Tissue Bank
Our doctors are part of a newly-established melanoma and nonmelanoma tissue bank created for research into the prevention and cure of the most aggressive types of skin cancer. This tissue bank will help provide our researchers with new insights into causes of melanoma and what treatments are most successful, inspiring new research initiatives.
Dedicated to Research and Clinical Trials
Many of our specialists are involved in research to find new treatments and cures for skin cancer. This affords our doctors the opportunity to take part in some of the most current clinical trials, giving you early access to some of the most promising and breakthrough therapies, providing you the best possible outcomes. See what skin cancer trials are going on right now.
Skin Cancer Initiatives at Nebraska Medicine
- Tailored therapy based on our patient’s personal history and tumor characteristics
- Innovative chemotherapy delivery to decrease side-effects
- Multidisciplinary care for aggressive or high-risk tumors
- Mohs surgery for minimally invasive removal of skin cancer with high cure rates
- Regional limb infusion for limb-sparing therapy
- An established melanoma and nonmelanoma tissue bank for research into the prevention and cure of melanoma
- Clinical trials available at www.unmc.edu/clinicaltrials
Addressing Your Personal Care Needs
Addressing a patient’s physical, educational, emotional and spiritual needs are important aspects of providing a more complete and holistic approach to care. A host of amenities and supportive services are available to help meet these needs. This includes personal care services such as wigs, wig fittings, prosthetic and bra fittings, meditation, virtual reality, yoga, massage therapy, skin care and make-up lessons. These services are offered in a private setting and are specifically geared for people with or recovering from cancer.
Cancer Support Services
Finding out that you have cancer can be a very emotional and difficult time. You will likely have many questions and issues to work through. We will be with you every step of the way. Nebraska Medicine offers a host of cancer support services to help you with your physical, emotional, educational and financial needs.
We're Here for you Long After Your Treatment
Our Survivorship Clinic is designed to help you deal with the emotional and physical challenges cancer can leave behind such as fear of recurrence, physical and medical long-term side effects and helping you return to a normal life again. It will also help you transition back into the care of your primary care physician.
Accreditations, Awards and Designations
As the only National Cancer Institute designated cancer center in Nebraska, we provide the best in science and clinical practice.
A founding and current member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) creating an alliance of the world’s leading cancer centers, working together to develop national treatment guidelines for cancers based on the latest research.