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Merkel cell carcinoma is a complex condition to treat, but the specialists within Moffitt Cancer Center’s Cutaneous Oncology Program have extensive experience in dealing with challenging cancers. We have a comprehensive team of nonmelanoma skin cancer doctors, each one specializing in a unique aspect of the field. Together, this team leverages their collective experience to evaluate all potential options and recommend the one that holds the most promise for each patient.

At Moffitt, our skin cancer treatment team includes:

  • Dermatologists, who evaluate suspicious lesions, recommend treatments and provide preventive care guidelines to help prevent future skin cancers
  • Medical oncologists, who develop chemotherapy prescriptions, and oncology nurses, who administer the medications
  • Radiation oncologists, who provide radiation therapy with the assistance of radiation therapists, medical physicists and dosimetrists
  • Surgeons, who surgically remove skin cancer lesions
  • Plastic surgeons, who help enhance functional and aesthetic outcomes after the removal of a tumor

And, making it possible for our doctors to recommend the most appropriate treatments for each patient’s unique needs is a team of diagnostic specialists, including radiologists and pathologists who provide in-depth information regarding the cell type and stage of each patient’s tumor. After laying the groundwork for individualized treatment, our diagnostic doctors also provide ongoing surveillance to monitor each patient’s response to therapy.

There are numerous advantages to working with the Moffitt team of Merkel cell carcinoma specialists as compared to just one medical professional. For instance, because each doctor focuses solely on a specific aspect of treatment, they develop highly refined techniques that they can put into practice on a daily basis. As such, many of Moffitt’s oncologists are regarded as true leaders in their fields. Our skin cancer specialists are widely published in scientific journals, and their contributions are often sought when developing new evidence-based pathways and best practices for the treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma.

Additionally, our collaborative approach means that we consider each patient’s case from several different angles. This ultimately allows us to produce comprehensive treatment plans that are individualized for the best possible outcomes and quality of life. 

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our Merkel cell carcinoma specialists, call 1-888-663-3488 or submit a new patient registration form online. You do not need to ask a physician for a referral.

  • Cutaneous Oncology Program Leadership
    Vernon  Sondak, MD
    Department Chair, Cutaneous Oncology
    Program Lead, Cutaneous Oncology

    Program

    Cutaneous Oncology

    Title

    Chair, Department of Cutaneous Oncology

    Specialty

    Surgery

    4.9 (437)
    Nikhil  Khushalani, MD

    Program

    Cutaneous Oncology

    Title

    Vice Chair, Department of Cutaneous Oncology

    Specialty

    Medical Oncology

    4.9 (115)
  • Merkel Cell Carcinoma Surgeons

    Meet the surgeons who specialize in the treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma.

    Wayne  Cruse, MD

    Program

    Reconstructive Oncology

    Specialty

    Plastic Surgery

    4.9 (260)
    Ricardo  Gonzalez, MD
    Department Chair, Sarcoma
    Program Lead, Sarcoma

    Program

    Sarcoma

    Title

    Chief, Surgery Service; Chair, Sarcoma Department

    Specialty

    Surgery

    4.8 (151)
    Rogerio  Neves, MD, PhD

    Program

    Reconstructive Oncology

    Specialty

    Plastic Surgery

    4.9 (195)
    Amod  Sarnaik, MD

    Program

    Cutaneous Oncology

    Specialty

    Surgery

    4.9 (317)
    Jonathan  Zager, MD

    Program

    Cutaneous Oncology

    Title

    Chief Academic Officer; Chair, USF Department of Oncologic Sciences

    Specialty

    Surgery

    4.9 (424)
  • Merkel Cell Carcinoma Medical Oncologists

    Meet the medical oncologists who specialize in Merkel cell carcinoma treatment.

    Andrew  Brohl, MD

    Program

    Sarcoma

    Specialty

    Medical Oncology

    4.9 (122)
    Zeynep  Eroglu, MD

    Program

    Cutaneous Oncology

    Specialty

    Medical Oncology

    4.9 (152)
    Lilit  Karapetyan, MD, MS, FACP

    Program

    Cutaneous Oncology

    Specialty

    Medical Oncology

    4.9 (62)
    Nikhil  Khushalani, MD

    Program

    Cutaneous Oncology

    Title

    Vice Chair, Department of Cutaneous Oncology

    Specialty

    Medical Oncology

    4.9 (115)
    Damian  Laber, MD

    Program

    Satellite and Community Oncology

    Specialty

    Hematology/Oncology

    4.9 (119)
    Ahmad  Tarhini, MD, PhD

    Program

    Cutaneous Oncology

    Title

    Director, Cutaneous Clinical and Translational Research

    Specialty

    Medical Oncology

    4.9 (185)
  • Merkel Cell Carcinoma Pathologists

    Meet the pathologists who specialize in diagnosing Merkel cell carcinoma.

     
    Pei-Ling  Chen, MD, PhD

    Program

    Pathology

    Specialty

    Pathology

    Timothy  McCardle, MD

    Program

    Pathology

    Specialty

    Pathology

    Jane  Messina, MD

    Program

    Pathology

    Title

    VICE CHAIR ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY; Vice Chair, Anatomic Pathology

    Specialty

    Pathology

    Kenneth  Tsai, MD, PhD

    Program

    Pathology

    Title

    Pathology Research Vice Chair

    Specialty

    Pathology

  • Merkel Cell Carcinoma Radiation Oncologists

    Meet the radiation oncologists who specialize in Merkel cell carcinoma treatment.

     
    Larry  Silverman, MD

    Program

    Radiation Oncology

    Specialty

    Radiation Oncology

    Evan  Wuthrick, MD

    Program

    Radiation Oncology

    Specialty

    Radiation Oncology

    4.9 (206)