Melanoma & Skin Cancer Chemotherapy Oncology Services

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center's interdisciplinary oncologists, specializing in melanoma and skin cancer, offer a full range of therapy for melanoma, ranging from immunological and targeted therapies to chemotherapy and focused radiotherapy.

Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to systemically treat certain types of cancer. Although surgery is often the first line of treatment, some melanomas are best treated with chemotherapy, often in combination with newer agents that improve the effects of chemotherapy when surgery or radiation therapy may not be an option. Chemotherapy may improve the effects of biologically targeted therapies or may be taken in combination with immunotherapies.

Chemotherapy Methods for Skin Cancer

Depending on the type and stage of the cancer, chemotherapy may be:

• Taken by mouth
• As an injection
• Placed directly into the tumor

Chemo Clinical Trials for Skin Cancer

Clinical trials are an important component of care for patients with melanoma and skin cancer, and participation in clinical trials is integrated into each person's plan of care when appropriate. At UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, people have access to the latest therapies and clinical trials. We are western Pennsylvania's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.