Skin Cancer Treatment in Boston


Helena O. Taylor MD, PHD, FACS & Stephen R. Sullivan MD, MPH, FACS

Named Among The Best Board Certified Plastic Surgeons in Boston

Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Melanoma Skin cancer are the most common of all cancers.

Dr. Taylor and Dr. Sullivan, Boston Mass area plastic surgeons, frequently perform various skin cancer treatments for conditions such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Other less common skin cancers include metatstatic cancer to the skin, merkel cell carcinoma, and Marjolin's ulcer. They have published their extensive experience with caring for skin cancers and melanoma and teach Harvard Medical School students and surgery residents about caring for patients with melanoma and skin cancer.

Dr. Sullivan’s research on skin cancer and melanoma

Skin Cancer Treatment Boston

Sullivan SR, Scott JR, Cole JK, Chi Y, Anaya DA, Yeung R, Mann G, Byrd D, Isik FF. Head and neck malignant melanoma margin status and immediate reconstruction. Annals of Plastic Surgery. 2009;62(2):144-148

Boston Skin Cancer Treatment

Sullivan SR, Liu D, Mathes DW, Isik FF. Malignant melanoma of the head and neck: Local recurrence following wide local excision and immediate reconstruction. Annals of Plastic Surgery. 2012;68(1):33-36

Skin Cancer Treatment & Surgery At A Glance

WHAT SKIN CANCER TREATMENT DOES

  • Removes Basal Cell Carcinoma
  • Removes Squamous Cell Carcinoma
  • Removes Melonoma
  • Reconstruction after Mohs
  • Restores appearance with reconstruction

DURATION OF RESULT

Years

LENGTH OF PROCEDURE

Variable

TYPES OF ANESTHESIA

Local, Sedation (sleepy) or General Anesthesia

RECOVERY

  • Usually comfortably at home

TIME OFF SCHOOL OR WORK

  • Usually none

TIME OFF ACTIVITIES

  • Usually none

Malignant Melanoma

Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the United States and the incidence has increased dramatically over the last several decades.

Each year, there are approximately 1400 patients who develop melanoma in Massachusetts, which is 26% higher than the national average. Treatment of melanoma is primarily surgical with wide local excision and may also require a sentinel lymph node biopsy. Approximately 20% of all melanomas occur in the head and neck, so for skin cancer treatment Boston board certified plastic surgeons and fellowship trained craniofacial surgeons Dr. Taylor and Dr. Sullivan have particular expertise. Following wide excision, options for reconstruction include primary closure, secondary closure, skin grafting, or adjacent tissue transfer.

When reconstruction is performed immediately after excision with adjacent tissue transfer, we have published some of the lowest rates of recurrence in the literature. This success with treating melanoma is due to a close working team. Dr. Taylor and Dr. Sullivan are part of a cutaneous oncology team at Mount Auburn Hospital, which provides comprehensive treatment for melanoma and skin cancer, including Plastic Surgery, Dermatology, Surgical Oncology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, and Pathology. The same model of care has become the standard for patients needing breast reconstruction.

Skin Cancer Treatment Boston

Boston Skin Cancer Treatment

Acral Lentinigous Melanoma

This patient was cared for in Haiti by Dr. Sullivan while volunteering with Partners in Health and Zanmi Lasante in Cange. The base of the left foot has a large melanoma with dark pigment and ulceration. The patient also had spread of the melanoma to the lymph nodes. This type of melanoma, acral lentiginous, is one of the least common overall and is found on the palms and soles. Nevertheless, acral lentiginous is the most common type in people of darker skin color and is often diagnosed at a more advanced stage. Singer Bob Marley died from acral lentiginous melanoma.

Skin Cancer Treatment Boston

Lentigo Maligna Melanoma

This patient had lentigo maligna melanoma (melanoma in situ) on the forehead and underwent wide local excision under local anesthesia. The scar was placed along the forehead wrinkles and this Boston skin cancer treatment patient recovered quickly with little discomfort and complete removal of the melanoma.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is one of the most common cancers.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is one of the most common cancers. The cancer usually appears as a red, raised, firm, ulcerated mass. Risk factors include sun or radiation exposure, actinic keratosis, and immunosuppression. The tumors can grow as well as spread throughout the body. Skin cancer reatment for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is primarily surgical with excision. Many of these cancers occur in the head and neck, an area where Dr. Taylor and Dr. Sullivan have particular expertise as board certified plastic surgeons and fellowship trained craniofacial surgeons.

Following wide excision, options for reconstruction include primary closure, secondary closure, skin grafting, or adjacent tissue transfer. As with melanoma, success with treating cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in our Boston skin cancer treatment patients is due to a close working team. Dr. Taylor and Dr. Sullivan are part of a cutaneous oncology team at Mount Auburn Hospital, which provides comprehensive treatment for skin cancer, including Plastic Surgery, Dermatology, Surgical Oncology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, and Pathology.

Boston Skin Cancer Treatment

Skin Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Right Ear

Skin Cancer Treatment Boston

Skin Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Left Ear

Boston Skin Cancer Treatment

Postoperative result of pyogenic granuloma excision from lip.

Call Today 617.492.0620

To schedule a private consultation with Dr. Taylor or Dr. Sullivan, please call the office or request an appointment using our form. We welcome your visit and your questions.

300 Mount Auburn St. Ste 304, Cambridge, MA 02138

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Taylor & Sullivan Plastic Surgery Boston
American Society of Plastic Surgeons American Board of Plastic Surgery Fellow American College of Surgeons America Association of Plastic Surgeons Sigill Massachusetts

617.492.0620

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300 Mount Auburn St. Ste 304, Cambridge