Cancer Care: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Melanoma

There’s rarely a shortage of sunshine in South Florida, nor is there a lack of sun exposure.

With that sun exposure comes an increased risk of skin cancer, including melanoma. Although melanoma is less common than some other forms of skin cancer, it is the most lethal. So, it’s of paramount importance to detect it and treat it early on, before it becomes life-threatening.

Maroone Cancer Center’s experts take a multidisciplinary approach—from early detection and removal of localized lesions to treatment of more advanced disease—to provide the most cutting-edge, comprehensive and compassionate care for people with melanoma.

“There has to be a multidisciplinary approach to melanoma,” explains Maroone Cancer Center dermatologist Paul X. Benedetto, MD. “We strive to deliver world-class care on a patient-by-patient basis. Our entire focus is to provide the best outcomes for our patients. We have the resources, the desire, the willpower and the multidisciplinary approach to provide for all cancers, including melanoma.” Our specialists use advanced immunochemical staining to pinpoint melanoma cells for surgical removal, as well as detailed molecular testing of specific genetic characteristics to determine a patient’s candidacy for targeted therapies. For certain patients, our experts employ state-of-the-art genomic testing to determine the risk that melanoma will recur or metastasize.

Maroone Cancer Center’s dermatologic surgeons remove localized melanomas with precision, using sophisticated Mohs micrographic procedures. Our medical oncologists offer the latest in targeted therapies and immunotherapies that have revolutionized the treatment of more aggressive melanomas.

These specialists, along with our multidisciplinary team of experts in plastic surgery, otolaryngology, pathology, radiation oncology and other disciplines, collaborate daily and meet periodically as a tumor board to determine the best treatment course for more complex melanoma cases. Our expert physicians are backed by a team of skilled nurses, geneticists, nutritionists and support staff who provide the highest-quality, well-rounded individualized care for patients with melanoma.

“Melanoma management frequently requires oncology and dermatology,” explains Maroone Cancer Center medical oncologist David Grossman, MD. “Sometimes it requires plastic surgery, and at times it can require a surgeon with experience in biopsying or removing lymph nodes in certain areas of the body. We can call on every specialist we need when we need them.”

A Multidisciplinary

Approach to Melanoma

Maroone Cancer Center’s experts specialize in early identification and comprehensive treatment of the most aggressive form of skin cancer.

Our multidisciplinary team of experts in plastic surgery, otolaryngology, pathology, radiation oncology and other disciplines collaborate daily and meet periodically as a tumor board to determine the best treatment course for more complex melanoma cases.

Broad-Based Melanoma Management

Early detection remains the key to optimizing melanoma outcomes. As such, Maroone Cancer Center experts perform detailed skin checks to find melanoma in its more curable stages.

“We take the time that patients need,” Dr. Benedetto says. “We’re going to examine their skin thoroughly, offer the appropriate follow-up recommendations, identify lesions of concern early on and treat them effectively.”

Advanced immunochemical staining is used to pinpoint melanoma cells.

Patient-Centered Care

Most importantly, Maroone Cancer Center offers broadbased, compassionate, multidisciplinary melanoma care in one convenient location—always focusing on each patient’s individual needs.

“Your access to care is excellent, you get in quickly and you’re well cared for,” Dr. Grossman emphasizes. “We have highly trained, fantastic doctors who take the whole person into account. In addition to the scientific expertise, we have many supportive care services that really take care of everything. I bring my family here, and I would recommend Maroone Cancer Center to anybody.”