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Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center of Excellence

About the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center of Excellence

The AHN Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center of Excellence is unlike any other skin cancer center in the area. Our dedicated team of dermatologists, oncologists, oncodermatologists, and medical professionals are all working in tandem to provide the most comprehensive and compassionate care to our patients.

With a team of expert providers and state-of-the-art technology, we’re able to provide comprehensive skin cancer screening, diagnostic services, and specialized care for high-risk patients all in one setting to ensure consistent and thorough care.

Personalized skin cancer and melanoma care

By choosing the AHN Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center of Excellence, you are not only choosing excellence in skin cancer care, but you are choosing providers who see you as a unique individual who deserves unique, personalized care. That’s our commitment to every patient we see — comprehensive, inclusive health care. A skin cancer or melanoma diagnosis can bring many questions and concerns. AHN is here to help you through.

  • Experts working together: At AHN, we are the only clinic where a dermatologist and a surgical specialist work closely on skin care and skin cancer. You have access to the experts you need, whether you are someone concerned about skin cancer or if you have life-threatening advanced skin cancer. 
  • Integrative care: Skin care specialists, dermatologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists all work together to collaborate on skin cancer diagnosis and treatment. Cancer specialists also meet biweekly to discuss advanced cancer cases, share their knowledge, and collaborate on how to best treat patients. 
  • Advanced technology: AHN is the only health care provider in western Pennsylvania that offers the VECTRA® WB360 Imaging System. VECTRA is the only technology of its kind and provides a whole-body 3D skin imaging that is used to monitor skin lesions, moles, and conditions.
  • Helping with side effects: Oftentimes, cancer treatments including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation can cause side effects to the skin. AHN oncodermatologists provide specialized skin care for cancer patients who are dealing with the side effects from their cancer treatment. This highly skilled area of dermatology helps patients mitigate side effects.

Skin cancer screening

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers, but early detection is key to successful treatment. Regular skin cancer screenings are essential for maintaining your skin’s health and catching any potential problems early on when it’s easier to treat. Skin cancer screening and results.

Melanoma and skin cancer services

A skin cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. AHN dermatologists and surgeons understand and are here to walk with you through your diagnosis and treatment plan. We’ll guide you through the complexities of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, empowering you to feel informed about the decisions related to your care. Some of our skin cancer services include:

  • Biopsy services: A skin cancer biopsy is a simple procedure where a small sample of skin is removed and examined under a microscope to determine if it’s cancerous. We offer skin cancer biopsy services that are performed by skilled health care providers multiple times a week, ensuring a fast and accurate diagnosis for skin cancer and melanoma, allowing for prompt treatment without the need for additional doctor visits.
  • Non-invasive testing: Beyond biopsies, skin cancer testing now includes less invasive options like tape tests, which gently collect skin cells for analysis, and non-invasive imaging techniques. New technology uses magnified light and lasers to visualize skin lesions in detail, aiding in early detection and accurate diagnosis. These advancements offer patients a wider range of options for skin cancer testing, minimizing discomfort and potentially eliminating the need for biopsies in many cases.
  • VECTRA® WB360 Imaging System: This cutting-edge technology is for precise diagnosis with unparalleled accuracy in evaluating skin conditions. Various AHN locations have handheld devices attached to this machine for doctors to easily test a specific lesion to get results. This helps the patient get quickly referred to the Skin Cancer Center. Learn more about VECTRA WB360 Screening.

VECTRA® is a registered trademark of Canfield Scientific, Inc.

Specialized treatments

The AHN Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center of Excellence offers a wide range of specialized treatments for melanoma and skin cancer: 

  • Oncolytic Virus Therapy: This therapy uses genetically engineered viruses that specifically target and destroy cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed.
  • Intralesional therapies: These treatments involve injecting medications directly into a tumor or lesion to target the specific area and minimize systemic side effects.
  • Topical treatments: These therapies involve applying medications directly to the skin or mucous membranes, allowing for localized treatment of skin cancers or other conditions.
  • Liquid nitrogen treatment: This cryotherapy technique uses extremely cold liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy abnormal cells, often used for skin cancers and precancerous lesions.
  • Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy: This immunotherapy approach involves extracting immune cells (T cells) from a patient’s tumor, growing them in the lab, and then re-infusing them back into the patient to attack the cancer.

Specialized care for high-risk patients

For patients who are at higher risk for skin cancer or melanoma, or for those who may need a skin transplant, our Transplant and High-Risk Skin Cancer Clinic is available to help navigate the specialized care plan needed. For individuals at high risk of skin cancer, we offer tailored services and support, including:

  • Personalized screening plans: Our experts create customized screening schedules based on your risk factors.
  • Education and prevention: We provide guidance on sun protection, self-examination, and lifestyle changes to minimize risk.
  • Advanced monitoring: High-risk patients receive more frequent evaluations and access to the latest diagnostic tools.

Skin cancer specialists

The Skin Cancer Center of Excellence brings its group of leaders together regularly to discuss and decide on the right combination of therapies for you. We work with you to get an accurate diagnosis and create an effective treatment strategy based on your personal needs.

Learn more about our doctors below:

Director

Howard Edington, MD

Howard Edington, MD

Director, Surgical Oncology Lead

Dermatologist

Charles E. Mount, MD

Charles E. Mount, MD

Associate Director, Dermatology Lead 

Dermatopathologist

Katherine Doeden, MD

Katherine Doeden, MD

Dermatopathology 

Medical oncologist

Hashem Younes, MD

Hashem Younes, MD

Medical Oncology Lead

Radiation oncologist

Zachary Horne, MD

Zachary Horne, MD

Radiation Oncology Lead

Use Find Care to find AHN providers who treat skin cancer and work as part of the Skin Cancer Center of Excellence.

How to get care

If you want to be tested for or have been diagnosed with skin cancer, we’re here to help.

Schedule your appointment today

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Take control of your skin health with the Skin Cancer Center. Call (412) 578-HOPE (412) 578-4673 to schedule an appointment at any location within the Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute or connect with a nurse navigator.

Schedule a screening

AHN holds weekly and monthly cancer screening clinics throughout western Pennsylvania. We screen for seven different types of cancer, including skin cancer. Find a cancer screening clinic near you.

Skin cancer clinical trials and research

We are actively engaged in research protocols involving:

  • Advanced Imaging Techniques
  • Innovative Intralesional Therapies, including Oncolytic Virus
  • Cutting-Edge Systemic Therapies, including Cell Therapy Protocols
  • Preventive therapies for high-risk patients

Cancer clinical trials and research

The AHN Cancer Institute is a pioneer in cancer research and participates in clinical trials of new medical oncology therapies that are open for patients who qualify and wish to participate. Patients are screened for consideration with ongoing clinical trials at every stage of their treatment. Find currently active melanoma clinical trials.

What is a clinical trial?

Clinical trials are studies that try to answer questions about new ways to treat cancer with medications, radiation, or surgical techniques. Previous trials have shown how new methods of treatment improve survival and quality of life and reduce the risk of cancer returning.

You participate in a clinical trial only if you volunteer to do so and meet criteria for inclusion in the study, and you can stop participating in a trial at any time.

Who can join a clinical trial?

The plan for the trial, called a protocol, explains the goal of the trial and how the study will be conducted. Based on the questions the research is trying to answer, each clinical trial protocol outlines specific criteria necessary to be eligible to join the trial.

Common criteria for entering a trial are:

  • Having a certain type or stage of cancer.
  • Having received a certain kind of therapy in the past.
  • Being in a certain age group.

Federal rules help ensure that clinical trials are run ethically, with your rights and safety protected. These rules are in place to ensure that you are not put at increased risk by participating in the trial, and that the results of the study are accurate and meaningful.

Currently active cancer clinical trials

If you would like to participate in a clinical trial and help our innovative team discover groundbreaking cancer solutions, ask your doctor if you are eligible to participate. See which clinical trials are currently active and open for participation.

Refer your patient to an AHN specialist

There are three ways for medical professionals, who are not a part of Allegheny Health Network, to refer their patients to an AHN specialist and request their first appointment. You can:

  1. Call (412) 578-HOPE (412) 578-4673 to speak with an AHN Cancer Institute scheduling coordinator.
  2. Go to Find Care to find the right AHN specialist and the most convenient location. Then refer your patient, provide relevant patient details, and request an appointment directly from the doctor’s profile. 
  3. Use AHN Physician Access to refer your patient to an AHN Cancer Institute specialist and request an appointment. 

For more information about referring your patient to an AHN specialist, read the Independent Physician Referral FAQs.

Follow your patient's health care at AHN with EpicCare® Link™

After referring your patient to an AHN specialist, use the EpicCare Link platform to collaborate with their AHN specialist and view your patient’s test results, treatment plan, and progress.

Log in to your EpicCare Link account now.

If you are new to EpicCare Link, or need to request your own EpicCare Link account, check the EpicCare Link for Patient Follow-up for user instructions and new account request forms.

When EpicCare Link is not an option for patient's AHN medical records

If you can’t access your patient’s AHN test results through the EpicCare Link platform, your patient will need to complete and submit the correct AHN Medical Records Release form, based on their state of residency. Support your patient’s request by downloading the correct medical records release form for them:

EpicCare® is a registered trademark of Epic Systems Corporation and used with permission.

EpicCare® Link™ is a trademark of Epic Systems Corporation and used with permission.

AHN Cancer Institute Appointments and Access

Learn more about our appointment options, second opinions, locations, referrals, and resources that are at your disposal.