All those days you spent outside without sunscreen seemed to have caught up with you. It looks like that little growth isn’t just a pimple. It keeps getting bigger.
And it’s time to get it checked out. It could be non-melanoma skin cancer. If it turns out to be this highly treatable cancer, acting quickly can give you the best possible outcome. We know that finding out you have skin cancer can be overwhelming. And you’ll probably want to get started on treatment right away. But you likely also have many questions. Which skin cancer treatment is best? How will I feel? And will it affect how I look?
At Cleveland Clinic, you won’t face your cancer diagnosis alone. Our healthcare providers are here for you with compassionate, expert support. We take time to answer your questions and help you understand what’s happening every step of the way — from diagnosis through personalized treatment and beyond.
Every skin cancer diagnosis is different and requires a customized treatment plan. Our dermatologists (skin specialists) use the latest tests to confirm your diagnosis. Then we work together to create a treatment plan that works for you.
Cleveland Clinic has experienced dermatology providers and more surgeons specializing in Mohs surgery (a precise surgery that minimizes scarring) than many other hospitals. This helps you get the treatment you need sooner — from skilled surgeons and other providers. Meet our team.
We design every aspect of your care to make sure you get improved results and quality of life — during and after treatment. Our care coordinators help you organize tests, appointments, lab work and referrals. And our social workers, dietitians and geneticists give you added support, if you need it.
We try to use minimally invasive treatments whenever possible — like topical medications or minor surgery. We work with you to build an effective treatment plan tailored specifically for you to deliver the best possible results.
Your care coordinators try to schedule several appointments on the same day to reduce the number of visits you have to make.
As a research hospital, Cleveland Clinic gives you access to a wide range of innovative new therapies. Often, you get to try out these treatments before they’re widely available. You can also participate in clinical studies. We’ll talk with you about your options.
Not all appointments need to be in person. Sometimes our providers can meet with you online. All you need is a smartphone, tablet or computer. We want to make care convenient for you. Virtual visits are one way we can do that.
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The first step to the right treatment plan is an accurate diagnosis. We use specialized testing to figure out what type of cancer it is. The main types of non-melanoma skin cancer are:
On your first visit, we’ll check your skin for signs of cancer, especially any suspicious moles or other spots. We might also do a skin biopsy (small tissue sample) and send it to the lab to confirm your diagnosis.
For basal and squamous cell carcinomas — which don’t usually spread to tissues deeper than your skin — we may choose from several techniques, including shave, punch or excisional biopsies. With a shave biopsy, your provider uses a razor blade to shave off a thin layer of your skin. With a punch biopsy, your provider uses an instrument called a biopsy punch to remove a small, circle of your skin. With an excisional biopsy, your provider uses a scalpel (small, sharp surgical knife) to remove a sample of your skin.
Merkel cell carcinoma can spread beyond skin tissue, so your providers may order a lymph node biopsy to check for signs that cancer has spread. The two types of lymph node biopsy are:
Learning that you may have cancer can be an emotional moment. That’s why having a team of healthcare providers you trust to give you the best possible treatment is so important. At Cleveland Clinic, we encourage second opinions. And we’ll always try to get an appointment scheduled for you as soon as possible after you reach out to us. We’ll go over all of your medical records and look at any imaging you’ve had done. And we’ll take the time to answer your questions, talk about your concerns and go over treatment options. A second opinion from expert providers can help you feel in control of your care.
Your care team will include many different specialists all working together to confirm your diagnosis and plan the most effective treatment for you. Your team may include:
Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio and Florida.
Treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer depends on the location of the cancer cells and the cancer’s stage (how far it has spread). Your treatment plan may include:
During Mohs (pronounced “mows”) surgery, our surgeons remove skin cancer cells in stages. After each stage, they look at the cells under a microscope while you wait. They continue to remove skin until they remove all the cancer cells. The goal of Mohs surgery is to remove all the cancer while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible.
Some non-melanoma skin cancers that haven’t spread beyond your skin can be treated without surgery. These treatment options include:
Radiation therapy uses a focused, concentrated beam of high-energy X-rays to target and destroy skin cancer cells. We may use radiation therapy on its own. Or we may recommend radiation therapy after surgery to make sure we got all the cancer cells.
Immunotherapy uses your body’s immune system to find and destroy skin cancer cells. Immune cells are good at recognizing foreign cells, including cancer cells, and destroy them without damaging healthy tissues. You typically get this medication through an IV (in a vein in your arm).
Chemotherapy is a medication that destroys cancer cells or slows their growth. For non-melanoma skin cancer, chemotherapy may come in a lotion or cream you apply to your skin. Chemotherapy administered by IV can also be used to treat non-melanoma skin cancers that recur (come back) or metastasize (spread to other parts of your body).
Cleveland Clinic has some of the world’s top researchers involved in clinical trials for non-melanoma skin cancers. These trials provide more options for you if you have basal cell cancer, squamous cell or Merkel cell cancers that don’t respond to traditional treatments. Clinical trials can improve your quality of life and possibly give you more time to spend with loved ones. Sometimes, clinical trials can provide life-saving care when other treatments don’t work.
If you notice a skin growth or a mole that doesn’t look quite right, you’ll want to get it looked at quickly. Cleveland Clinic is here to help. Talk with us about your options for getting your skin checked by our experienced dermatologists. And if you find out you have non-melanoma skin cancer, we’ll support you throughout your journey with skill, expertise and compassion every step of the way.
Getting an appointment with Cleveland Clinic’s non-melanoma skin cancer experts is easy. We’ll give you personalized care.
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Learning you have cancer can be stressful, shocking and challenging. From the moment you get the news, you're a survivor. As you face the challenges that go along with cancer treatment and recovery — physical and emotional — we’ll be right there with you.
At Cleveland Clinic, survivorship care is one part of your journey. We offer a wide range of services, resources, clinics and support groups to help with any physical, emotional, financial and spiritual needs you might have related to your cancer diagnosis. Lending a helping hand along the way, we want you to not only survive, but thrive on this journey and beyond.
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