Skin Cancer Care

Expert Care for All Types of Skin Cancer

At Exeter Hospital, we provide expert, compassionate care for all types of skin cancer — including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Sun exposure is one of the biggest risk factors for developing skin cancer, and cases are on the rise. Melanoma is now the fastest-growing cancer among white men and the fourth fastest-growing among white women.

Accurate Skin Cancer Diagnosis & Staging

Accurate diagnosis and staging are essential for effective skin cancer treatment. After a surgeon performs a biopsy or removes a tumor, our pathologists examine how deeply the cancer has grown. Surgeons may also perform a sentinel lymph node biopsy to determine whether the cancer has spread. For patients at higher risk of recurrence, our medical oncologists may recommend targeted therapy or immunotherapy to help lower that risk.

Types of Skin Cancer

Our specialists diagnose and treat all types of skin cancer, including:

• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): The most common form of skin cancer, BCC develops in the basal cells located in the outermost layer of the skin.
• Cutaneous lymphoma (skin lymphoma): A rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects the skin.
• Merkel cell carcinoma: A rare and aggressive skin cancer with neuroendocrine features, most often occurring in older adults or people with weakened immune systems.
• Melanoma: Melanoma begins in melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, which gives skin, hair, and eyes their color. It is one of the most serious and potentially dangerous types of skin cancer.
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): SCC develops in the squamous cells that make up the outer layers of the skin. It can occur anywhere on the body.

Skin Cancer Diagnosis

If you have a suspicious spot or lesion, your doctor may perform a biopsy, a procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed for testing. The biopsy results help determine whether the lesion is cancerous.

If skin cancer is diagnosed, a pathologist identifies the type of cancer and its stage (also called grade), which describes how advanced the disease is.

Skin Cancer Treatment

Once a diagnosis is confirmed, your care team will recommend the most appropriate treatment based on several factors, including:

Treatment options may include one or more of the following:

Surgery for Skin Cancer

Surgery is a common and effective treatment for many skin cancers. Procedures are typically performed on an outpatient basis, allowing you to return home the same day.

Depending on your diagnosis, you may undergo standard surgical excision or be a candidate for Mohs surgery. In both cases, the surgeon removes the cancer along with a small amount of surrounding healthy skin to ensure complete removal.

Surgical Excision

Surgical excision involves removing the skin lesion and sending the tissue to a laboratory for analysis.

For diagnosis: The surgeon removes part or all of the lesion so a pathologist can determine whether cancer is present.

For treatment: If skin cancer has already been diagnosed, the goal is to remove the entire tumor. The surgeon also removes a margin of normal-appearing skin to ensure clear edges. A pathologist then confirms that the margins are free of cancer cells.

This approach helps ensure the cancer is fully removed and reduces the risk of recurrence.

Personalized, Team-Based Care

Our team of specialists — including dermatologists, surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists — works together to create individualized treatment plans that address your medical and emotional needs. We also emphasize prevention and education, helping you monitor your skin health and reduce the risk of future skin cancers.