What Kind of Doctor is Best for Skin Cancer?

So, you have a suspicious mole, a weird patch of skin, or maybe your dermatologist just gave you news you weren’t expecting—skin cancer. Now what? Who do you see? Is one doctor enough, or do you need a whole team?

Relax, and breathe. Skin cancer is serious, but the good news is that there are experts who specialize in treating it. The key is knowing which doctor is best for your situation. Let’s break it down.

1. Dermatologist – The Skin Detective

A dermatologist is most often the first doctor someone sees when they think of something going wrong with their skin. Think of a dermatologist for skin cancer as a detective, trained to spot trouble before it gets worse.

What they do:

• Examine moles, spots, and lesions
• Perform biopsies to check for cancer
• Treat early-stage skin cancers
• Offer non-surgical treatments like cryotherapy (freezing cancer cells)

If your skin cancer is small and detected early, the dermatologist may manage the whole treatment, otherwise they will refer you to a specialist.

When to visit one:

• You recognize a changing mole, sore, or new skin growth
• You have a family history of skin cancer
• You want regular skin check-ups

2. Mohs Surgeon- The Precision Expert

Ever heard of Mohs surgery? Mohs surgery is a very special technique to remove skin cancer layer by layer and preserve as much healthy skin as possible. So, if someone is looking for an appointment for this, a dermatologist with further training can provide a very effective procedure.

What they do:

• Precisely remove skin cancer
• Examine tissue under a microscope during surgery to ensure no cancer cells remain
• Minimize scarring, making it a great option for facial or visible areas

Best for:

• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
• Skin cancer on the face, ears, hands, or other delicate parts
• Where preserving healthy skin is critical

Mohs surgery can cure certain types of skin cancers 99% of the time, making it one of the most effective treatments available.

3. Surgical Oncologist – The Cancer Surgeon

If your skin cancer has spread beyond the surface or is too large for a dermatologist to remove, a surgical oncologist steps in. These doctors specialize in removing complex cancers and sometimes nearby lymph nodes if needed.

What they do:

• Perform surgeries for advanced melanoma and other aggressive skin cancers
• Remove large tumors that may require reconstructive surgery afterward
• Work with other specialists if cancer has spread

Best for:

• Melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer)
• Tumors that are large or growing aggressively
• Cancer that has spread to lymph nodes

A surgical oncologist is part of a multi-specialist team that assists with the management of advanced skin cancers.

4. Medical Oncologist – The Cancer Treatment Strategist

When skin cancer spreads beyond the skin, the fight becomes more challenging. That is when a medical oncologist comes in. They are the ones who plan and direct chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted drug treatments.

What they do:

• Prescribe and manage chemotherapy to attack cancer cells
• Use targeted therapy, which works against specific cancer mutations
• Recommend immunotherapy to help the body’s immune system fight cancer

Best for:

• Advanced melanoma that has spread to organs
• Skin cancer that has returned after treatment
• Cases requiring a combination of surgery and drug therapy

With new advancements in immunotherapy, even late-stage melanoma can be treated more effectively than ever before.

5. Radiation Oncologist – The High-Energy Weapon

Radiation oncologists use high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Although radiation is not the first-in-line treatment for skin cancer, it can be helpful at times.

What They Do:

• Radiation beams target cancer cells
• Relieve pain and manage advanced cancer
• Help when surgery cannot be performed

Best for:

• Elderly and at-risk patients who can not undergo surgery.
• Skin cancer in difficult-to-treat areas
• Cases that involve metastasis

Radiation therapy does not hurt; however, it must be taken multiple times, which takes quite a while to finish.

6. Plastic Surgeon – The Reconstruction Specialist

A plastic surgeon makes things right when skin cancer surgery results in significant scarring or disfiguration.

What they do:

• Reconstruct regions of the body where skin cancer was removed
• Conduct skin grafts or flaps to restore the look
• Assist patients in healing with both restoration of function and regaining self-esteem

Best for:

• Skin cancer on nose, eyelids, ears, lips, or breast
• Involves large or deep removals that require reconstruction
• Patients seeking the best cosmetic outcome

A plastic surgeon can collaborate with a Mohs surgeon or surgical oncologist to coordinate both cancer removal and reconstruction as seamlessly as possible.

Who Should You See First?

Still not sure where to begin? Here’s a simple roadmap:

• Step 1: See a dermatologist for a skin check and possible biopsy.
• Step 2: In case of a diagnosed cancer, your dermatologist will either treat it personally or refer you to either a Mohs surgeon or a surgical oncologist.
• Step 3: In case of the advanced stage of the cancer, a medical oncologist or radiation oncologist will be involved.
• Step 4: In case of appearance-related major surgery, one can go for reconstruction by a plastic surgeon.

Final Thoughts—The Right Doctor for the Right Job

Skin cancers do not come with a single solution, nor do the physicians who treat them. The treatment team depends on the type and stage of cancer, but the good news is that there are experts for every scenario.

If you catch skin cancer early, a dermatologist or Mohs surgeon may be all you need. If it’s more advanced, you might need a team of specialists working together. The key is acting fast—the sooner you get checked, the better the outcome.

So, if you’ve been putting off that skin exam, this is your sign to book an appointment today.