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Stanford Health Care

High-Risk Skin Cancer Clinic

Dermatology Clinic

High-Risk Skin Cancer Clinic

If you are at high risk for developing skin cancer due to an organ transplant or suppressed immune system, you need an advanced level of care. Our expert team catches skin cancers in the early stages, when they are easily treated. We believe in highly personalized care that involves carefully monitoring patients with early biopsies and frequent appointments. Our robust research program offers you access to clinical trials for melanoma, squamous cell skin cancer and basal cell carcinoma.

Services Available at These Locations (2)
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How Medication Can Raise Your Skin Cancer Risk Play Video | 3:23

Our Doctors

Care and Treatment

Who We Serve

We serve everyone who is at a very high risk of developing skin cancer due to a suppressed immune system. You may experience immunosuppression due to a medical procedure, genetic factors or medications you take.

What does high-risk mean when it comes to skin cancer?

Anyone who experiences sun exposure can develop a skin cancer because the sun’s radiation can cause skin cells to mutate. However, some people are at a greatly increased risk due to a medical procedure, medication or genetic predisposition. We see patients who are at high risk due to:

  • Organ transplant
  • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
  • Lymphoma
  • Immunosuppressive drugs, including voriconazole and azathioprine
  • Immunocompromise due to a medical condition like HIV-AIDS
  • Prior radiation therapy
  • Genetic predisposition to skin cancer due to albinism or being BRCA-positive

If you fall into any of these groups, we offer advanced treatments and comprehensive care.

When to visit the High Risk Skin Cancer Clinic

We will see you at any point during your skin cancer journey. If you are at high risk for developing skin cancer, use these guidelines for when to schedule an appointment:

  • Organ transplant recipient. Schedule an appointment prior to your surgery, if possible. We will perform a whole-body survey to map existing moles and lesions for comparison in the years after your surgery. If you have already received an organ but have not been evaluated by the High-Risk Skin Cancer Clinic, we welcome the opportunity to follow you.
  • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia. See us as soon as possible after diagnosis. We will create a customized care plan to help keep your skin healthy and cancer-free.
  • Lymphoma. Talk with your doctor about when to schedule an appointment with us. This type of cancer carries an increased risk of skin cancer development.
  • Past radiation treatment. See us as soon as possible after treatment ends. Your risk of skin cancer goes up progressively each year after you receive radiation treatment for any reason. If you underwent radiation therapy at any time in the past, you should be seen by a high-risk skin cancer specialist.
  • Suppressed immune system. See us any time. If you take medications that suppress your immune response after transplantation or for treating HIV-AIDS, you may want to be evaluated.
  • Genetic risk. Talk with your doctor about whether you might benefit from a skin cancer risk assessment. Women with a BRCA mutation or people with albinism may be at increased risk of developing skin cancer.
Partnering for Excellence
Stanford Cancer Institute
The Stanford Comprehensive Cancer Network is part of the Stanford Comprehensive Cancer Care Institute, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center.

Stanford Health Care Now

How to Prevent Skin Cancer after a Transplant

Some medications required after transplant may increase odds of developing skin cancer. The Stanford High-Risk Skin Cancer Clinic offers advanced prevention, treatments, clinical trials and a tumor board.

Skin Cancer Care for High Risk Patients

Medications that suppress the immune system may increase the odds of developing skin cancer. Learn how the Stanford High-Risk Skin Cancer Clinic helped one patient with advanced prevention and treatments.

For Patients

Stanford Health Care is known worldwide for the advanced patient care provided by its doctors and staff. We also provide a wide range of guest services and amenities to our patients and visitors. Learn more about preparing for a hospital stay, billing and financial services, and our other support programs in Patients & Visitors.  

We want to make your treatment as effective as possible.  If you are a transplant candidate, contact us before your transplant surgery so we can evaluate your post-transplant risk level for skin cancer and prepare a treatment plan in coordination with your transplant team.  Please ask us any questions you have — we want to make you comfortable and prepared.

Call us to make an appointment

650-723-6316

RESOURCES

For Health Care Professionals

We welcome referrals from other clinics and health care providers and want to assure you that we'll provide your patient with the same level of personal care you give them.

HOW TO REFER A PATIENT TO THE HIGH RISK SKIN CANCER CLINIC

  • Fax a patient referral form with supporting documentation to 650-721-3476.
  • Let us know if your patient is a transplant candidate or has already undergone transplant surgery.
  • A Patient Care Coordinator will fax a confirmation of receipt to your office.
  • We will contact the patient and schedule an evaluation appointment upon insurance clearance.
  • Send referrals online
  • Place radiology and lab orders
  • View referral status
  • Access medical records

Learn More About MedLink

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Make an appointment

To request an appointment, call 650-723-6316