Skin Cancer Program

Mohs micrographic surgery is one of the most effective treatments for primary and recurrent basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, with cure rates of up to 99%. Unlike traditional excision, this highly specialized procedure removes cancerous tissue in a disc or “layer” of tissue, allowing for maximal preservation of healthy skin while achieving optimal cosmetic results. Between each section of tissue removed, real-time microscopic analysis is performed to ensure complete malignancy removal. The process is repeated until no residual tumor is identified.

Our dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon, Gaurav Singh, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.D., F.A.C.M.S., is board certified and fellowship-trained with extensive experience in the management of complex skin cancers. Having performed over 10,000 Mohs procedures throughout his career, he is recognized by patients for his excellent oncologic outcomes and aesthetic results, particularly in anatomically and cosmetically sensitive areas.

While the five-year relative survival rate for metastatic melanoma is 35%, promising advancements in treatment are emerging. One such option is tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, which harnesses the body’s T cells to fight cancer.

City of Hope Chicago is proud to be one of fewer than 100 centers nationwide to offer lifileucel, the first autologous TIL-based therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for advanced melanoma. Recent data showed a median duration of response of 36.5 months and a 31% ongoing response rate at five years post treatment with lifileucel.

With medical oncology, surgical oncology and cellular therapy experts all under one roof, our coordinated, multidisciplinary team delivers this complex therapy safely, effectively and close to home.

In situations where patients are not candidates for surgical excision due to medical contraindications, anatomical considerations or personal preference, definitive radiation therapy may offer a curative alternative. Radiation therapy may also be an option for skin cancers that have extensive local disease, involve critical anatomical sites where surgery may compromise function or cosmesis, or demonstrate invasion into deeper structures, such as the bones or muscle.

At City of Hope, our radiation oncology team provides a comprehensive array of advanced radiation therapy modalities for the treatment of skin cancer. Utilizing innovative technologies and techniques, such as volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), we precisely deliver targeted doses to select areas of malignancy, while optimizing outcomes and quality of life. Additionally, in certain situations, precancerous actinic keratoses may also be targeted at the time of definitive treatment to help reduce the development of additional skin cancers.

Many oncology patients experience cutaneous toxicities from systemic therapies — including targeted agents, immunotherapy and radiation — which often require specialized dermatologic care. These adverse effects can impact treatment adherence and quality of life, necessitating timely and specialized intervention. With a dermatologist readily available on-site, our team is prepared to promptly evaluate and manage side effects early, supporting continuity of care.