Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers

Dr. Susan Tofte, melanoma and skin cancer expert, examines a patient.
Nurse practitioner Susan Tofte has extensive experience in treating patients with skin cancer, including melanoma.

The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute provides outstanding care for all stages of melanoma and other skin cancers. You'll find treatment tailored to your needs and rooted in our groundbreaking research. We offer:

  • An internationally recognized team of experts with decades of combined experience.
  • Advanced technology, such as virtual biopsies, to catch suspicious moles early.
  • Advanced techniques, such as Mohs surgery, for better cosmetic results.
  • Leading-edge research and clinical trials to test new treatments.
  • A clinic for patients at high risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer.
  • A melanoma clinic where patients can see several specialists, often on the same day.
  • Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy (TIL therapy) for people with late-stage melanoma.

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What makes us different

Dr. Sancy Leachman talks with a patient.
Dr. Sancy Leachman leads the Department of Dermatology and the Melanoma Research Program.
  • Experience: Our team has decades of experience. They have the tools and expertise to catch suspicious moles early, when they’re most treatable.
  • Top minds together: Our providers gather three times a month for a meeting called a tumor board. Experts from many fields come together to discuss your case. This makes sure you get the benefit of their combined experience.
  • Advanced therapies: We have expertise in all treatments for skin cancer, including immunotherapy.
  • National recognition: We’ve earned the National Cancer Institute’s top designation for leadership in research and we’re consistently ranked among the best cancer hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Leading technology

We offer some of the most advanced technology available, including:

  • Testing: Our Knight Diagnostic Laboratories can run advanced tests of your tumor cells. The results can help you decide whether to try targeted therapy.
  • Mohs surgery: We offer Mohs surgery for many types of skin cancer, including some melanomas. This allows our expert surgeons to remove all the tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue.
  • Imaging: Our skin imaging center uses high-resolution photography to catch suspicious moles early.

Clinical trials

We offer patients access to clinical trials that are exploring new ways to fight melanoma and other skin cancers.

Research

We're leading research to develop a better understanding of melanoma and other skin cancers. Our work has helped us:

  • Learn more about the effectiveness of immunotherapies and vaccines.
  • Refine tests for high-risk patients.
  • Explore genetic factors that increase risk.
  • Design and test drugs to prevent melanoma. Some even help cells repair DNA damage from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Cancer registries

We offer you the opportunity to participate in OHSU cancer registries, including a Melanoma Community Registry and two others for skin cancer. By volunteering to provide information and sometimes tissue or blood samples, you can help researchers see patterns and make other discoveries. You can also learn about the latest advances.

For patients

Call 503-418-3376 to:

  • Request an appointment
  • Seek a second opinion
  • Ask questions

Location

Knight Cancer Institute, South Waterfront

Center for Health & Healing, Building 2, ninth floor
3485 S. Bond Ave.
Portland, OR 97239

Free parking for patients and visitors

Refer a patient

Cancer clinical trials

Clinical trials allow patients to try a new test or treatment.

See melanoma

Image of black dots on white background with text that says "Melanoma stands out. You could spot cancer."

By checking your own skin, you could save your own life. Learn what to look for and what to do if you find something. Start seeing melanoma.

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Stay informed

News: Read about research breakthroughs, patient care and many other topics on our OHSU News site.