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Inova Schar Cancer Institute

Inova Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center

Inova's comprehensive skin center is the region's only multi-specialty melanoma and cutaneous oncology program. The center is a clinical partner of the Office of Research at Inova, a leader in groundbreaking genomics research.

We provide screening, detection and treatment of melanoma in early and advanced stages. We also treat Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), advanced non-melanoma skin cancers (squamous and basal cell carcinomas), and cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL).

Our practice also includes a full complement of ongoing patient-centered programs.

Learn more about all our treatments and patient programs

About Melanoma

Melanoma is a kind of skin cancer. It may also referred to as malignant melanoma or cutaneous melanoma.

Melanoma is more aggressive than other kinds of skin cancer. If a mole or pigmented area changes or looks abnormal, it should be examined by a specialist immediately. A skin exam is the first step, followed by a possible biopsy (a procedure in which skin cells are checked under a microscope).

According to the American Cancer Society, melanomas can occur anywhere on the body, but are more likely to start in certain locations. The most common sites are the trunk (chest and back), legs, neck and face.

Learn more about types of skin cancer

Our Physicians and Team 

The doctors at Inova Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center are board-certified, fellowship-trained oncologists and dermatologists who are established practitioners from Washington, DC, and Inova. Our practice also includes a specialized nurse practitioner whose special interest is management of oncology patients, especially those with melanoma and skin cancer. Together the team's expertise in diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and other skin cancers means an unparalleled level of care for you.

Meet Our Experts

Patient-Focused Clinical Services

A clinic for skin cancer screening, mole screening and melanoma screening.

This is a clinic for the newly diagnosed patient with melanoma, merkel cell and aggressive non-melanoma skin cancers such as squamous cell and basal cell skin cancers. The case is reviewed by the melanoma and skin cancer team at a weekly conference and the patient is seen by several specialists on the same visit. The available specialists for this clinic include dermatology, medical oncology, surgical oncology.

These are clinics for the follow-up care of the melanoma patient. Based on the stage of melanoma, the patient is seen by a range of specialists as needed, to include dermatology, medical oncology, surgical oncology.

This is a clinic for patients with melanoma and advanced skin cancers who would need cancer medications including immune therapies, targeted therapies, and chemotherapies. Various clinical trials will be discussed and offered to patients when appropriate.

This is a multidisciplinary clinic for both the newly diagnosed patient with this entity as well as follow-up care for patients with this skin cancer.

This is a clinic for patients at high risk for developing skin cancers, such as those patients who have had organ transplantation.

This type of clinic is for minor outpatient procedures for the removal of suspicious moles or biopsy proven skin cancer such as early stage melanoma. It is not a Mohs surgery center. We have partners in the area to whom we can arrange referrals for both Mohs surgery of non-melanoma skin cancer and plastic surgery for the removal of moles that are in cosmetic areas.

The Inova Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center is dedicated to the advancement of treatment options which is why we offer our patients clinical trials. As a standard part of your care, we will discuss all possible treatment options including clinical trials (if available and applicable).

Learn more about melanoma clinical trials