Melanoma Program

Providence doctors and scientists have been leading the way in melanoma research and treatment. Our findings have resulted in new ways to boost immune response, improving the standard of care for patients with this aggressive malignancy.

503-215-6014

Melanoma Program

Providence doctors and scientists have been leading the way in melanoma research and treatment. Our findings have resulted in new ways to boost immune response, improving the standard of care for patients with this aggressive malignancy.

503-215-6014

Meet the Team

At Providence, you'll have access to a vast network of dedicated and compassionate providers who offer personalized care by focusing on treatment, prevention and health education.

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Personalized Care Advanced Skin Cancer Treatment
Personalized Care

At Providence Cancer Institute, melanoma patients and their families benefit from some of the most comprehensive cancer service.

You will have access to:
  • Breakthrough immunotherapy treatment and clinical trials for new therapies with significant survival rates
  • Our team of medical, surgical and radiation oncologists partner with nurses, researchers, patient advocates and other caregivers to aggressively treat melanoma and to ensure that nobody has to face cancer alone
  • Advanced diagnostic imaging
  • Compassionate support through every step of your care and follow-up

Of the three main skin cancers, melanoma presents the greatest public health concern: The number of Americans with melanoma has doubled about every 20 years; Oregon has the fifth highest incidence of melanoma in the U.S. Many systemic therapies have been tested for melanoma during the past 50 years, with generally disappointing results, but recent advancements in cancer immunotherapy research and clinical trials have spawned new therapies with significant survival benefits.

Providence has been an innovator in combination immunotherapy clinical trials. We were among the first to demonstrate the immune-boosting potential of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) when given along with another immune booster, high-dose Interleukin-2, to patients with metastatic melanoma. We have many clinical trials for patients with stage III and IV melanoma that may again improve the standard of care for melanoma patients:

  • Intra-tumoral injections of viruses that can infect melanoma given with ipilimumab
  • Medicines that can change the tumor microenvironment to promote immune response (GR-MD-02) with ipilimumab
  • Vaccines for patients with earlier stages of melanoma (DEC205-NY-ESO-1)
  • Combinations of T-cell checkpoint and immune boosting antibodies like ipilimumab and nivolumab

Why Choose Us for Your Cancer Care?

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We know that every patient is unique. No two patients – or their treatment plans – are alike. This is why we take a highly personalized approach to cancer care, and we always put our patients first. Our cancer specialists are at the forefront of innovative, state-of-the-art technologies and treatment options.  We partner with you to develop specialized treatment plans that fit your needs and provide the best outcomes. At Providence Cancer Institute of Oregon, some of our advanced treatments include:

  • Complete genomic sequencing to determine the unique genetic composition of your cancer and the most effective treatments 
  • World-class immunotherapy capabilities, including adoptive cell therapy, CAR T-cell therapy, TIL therapy and high-dose IL-2 
  • Targeted therapies, including oral and infusion chemotherapy
  • State-of-the-art, minimally invasive surgical options, including robotic- assisted surgery and advanced surgical oncology research through biomedical engineering technology
  • A comprehensive Radiation Oncology Program, with state-of-the-art external beam and internal radiation therapy treatments, including the only MRI linear accelerator in the Pacific Northwest, Gamma Knife Perfexion, HDR Brachytherapy and more
  • A robust clinical trials portfolio of early phase studies developed by our world-renowned researchers and cooperative group studies sponsored by the National Cancer Institute
  • Genetic counseling and testing for cancer risk assessment, prevention, early detection and treatment planning
  • An award-winning Cardio-Oncology Program to minimize the cardiovascular side effects of cancer treatments
  • Evidence-based complementary medicine such as naturopathy, massage therapy and acupuncture through our Integrative Medicine Program

You will have access to unsurpassed support at every stage of your treatment, adding an extra dimension of care to help fight cancer. Our oncology nurse navigators, social workers, dietitians and spiritual care providers help guide you through treatment and promote health on every level — body, mind and spirit. As an added layer of support, our Oncology Resource Specialists provide free, personalized assistance to patients, families and care partners. These caregivers will help you navigate and use the many resources available throughout the community and through Providence.

Learn more about our cancer support services.

Cancer doesn’t discriminate, but access to great cancer care hasn’t always been the same for everyone. At Providence, we are deeply committed to making sure every patient we treat has access to the best cancer care. We value, respect and support the racial, ethnic, religious, gender, sexual and spiritual identities of each member of our diverse community, and we never turn a patient away. Instead, we work to make sure every patient is treated equally and with dignity – whoever you are, and wherever you are in your journey.

When you become a patient at Providence, you become part of a collaborative cancer-care network. Our care often exceeds national measures for patient outcomes. We have award-winning doctors, scientists, researchers and caregivers across 51 hospitals in seven states. The skills of your local team and the power of this network add up to the best, most compassionate care. And if you need to meet with a specialist outside your area, we have telehealth technology to help. Our network and superior care are among the reasons 6,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients choose Providence Cancer Institute of Oregon each year.

Through our pioneering research, we have helped make cancer immunotherapy a new standard of care. We led the international trial of the first immunotherapy approved for patients with melanoma. We also led the trial for the first successful gene-engineered T-cell therapy for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Our globally renowned team of physician researchers and scientists at Earle A. Chiles Research Institute offer hope to patients and families. As our patient, you have the opportunity to participate in – or benefit from - clinical trials for all major cancer types. Some of these trials are only available at Providence. An estimated 20% of our patients participate in clinical trials, far surpassing the 2-4% national average.

THE POWER OF OUR NETWORK

Part of Providence Cancer Institute of Oregon

Providence Cancer Institute is a leading provider of cancer care in Oregon, and part of the largest community-based cancer-care network in the United States. Regardless of where you go for care, you have an entire team of cancer experts working together to provide a personalized, whole-person approach to your care. At Providence we see more than a cancer diagnosis, we see the life in you and are committed to helping you live well again.

Learn more about the Providence Cancer Institute of Oregon
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Are you looking for a clinical trial for yourself or for a patient? We’d love to help you find one!

Research and Clinical Trials

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