Skin Cancer Care

Comprehensive Care for Every Stage of Skin Cancer

Whether you’re facing a common skin spot or a complex diagnosis, the Skin Cancer Care program at Community Health Network is here to help. We provide advanced treatment for all types and stages of skin cancer, including rare forms like Merkel cell carcinoma and cutaneous sarcomas.

Expertise for Complex Cases

Our team specializes in treating advanced or recurring tumors that require a higher level of care. From precise diagnostics and radiology to complex surgical reconstruction, we coordinate every aspect of your treatment.

A Team Approach to Your Healing

Our board-certified surgeons are Community Health Network MD Anderson Cancer Center providers who bring exceptional care to local patients. Our "multidisciplinary" approach means that experts in oncology, surgery and dermatology work together to create a personalized plan just for you.

For more information or to speak with our care team, call 317-621-9470.

Advanced Immunotherapy: TILs Cell Therapy

For patients fighting advanced or metastatic melanoma that hasn't responded to traditional treatments, Community Health Network MD Anderson Cancer Center offers a cutting-edge advancement called Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) therapy. Community MD Anderson is the first and only program in Indiana to offer this innovative option.

This revolutionary form of personalized immunotherapy works by using your body’s own immune cells to aggressively target and destroy cancer. Under the expert guidance of specialists like surgical oncologist Dr. Adam Riker and our medical oncology teams, the advanced process is broken down into precise, coordinated steps:

1. Tumor Tissue Removal: A surgeon removes a small piece of the melanoma tumor.
2. Cell Extraction and Expansion: In a specialized lab, scientists isolate the natural immune cells (lymphocytes) that have already proven they can recognize your specific cancer. Over four to six weeks, these cells are multiplied into billions of high-powered fighters.
3. Preparing Your Body: The patient receives a brief course of short-term chemotherapy to safely prepare the immune system and "make space" for the incoming cells.
4. The Infusion: The billions of expanded immune cells are infused back into your bloodstream.
5. Immune Support: High-dose IL-2 (a natural protein that signals T-cells to stay active) is administered to help your new immune army survive and aggressively attack the tumor.

Dr. Sherif Farag explains more about TIL therapy in the video.

Backed by Elite Cellular Expertise

Our TIL therapy program is coordinated by the Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Institute, led by Medical Director Dr. Sherif Farag. With more than 30 years of experience in advanced blood cancers and complex immune cell therapies, Dr. Farag’s team ensures that our cellular processing protocols meet the nationally-recognized standards of our MD Anderson partnership.

How to Access TIL Therapy

Because TIL therapy is a highly specialized treatment for complex or unresectable cases, patients are typically referred to our program by a medical oncologist after other standard treatment options have been exhausted.

To learn more about clinical eligibility, talk to your medical oncologist who can determine if you're a candidate for TIL and refer you into the program.

Meet the Skin Cancer Surgeons

When facing a complex skin cancer diagnosis, you want a highly specialized expert on your side. Our board-certified surgeons are Community Health Network MD Anderson Cancer Center participating providers who bring advanced surgical techniques and treatment protocols from a world-renowned cancer center to patients across Indiana communities.

For more information or referrals, call 317-621-9470.

Jeffrey Wagner, MD
Medical Director, Skin Cancer Care Program
Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Jeff Wagner is the medical director of the Skin Cancer Care program and its multidisciplinary team. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a fellow of the American Board of Surgeons and the Society of Surgical Oncology.

Dr. Wagner is a frequent educator, speaker and author; he has been identified as one of America’s Top Doctors. He is an internationally recognized expert and researcher in cutaneous oncology, melanoma, and reconstructive techniques and outcomes.

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Adam Riker, MD
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Adam Riker specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of complex melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, including Merkel cell carcinoma, advanced basal and squamous cell carcinomas, and soft tissue sarcomas. Prior to joining Community, Dr. Riker held physician leadership roles at major academic cancer centers across the country. He is a deeply published researcher in clinical cancer therapies and a veteran of the U.S. Army.

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Why Choose Community for Skin Cancer Care?

When you opt for skin cancer treatment at Community Health Network, you get a highly coordinated, multidisciplinary network designed around the unique needs of skin cancer patients and their families.

• Coordinated Navigation from Day One: We know that waiting for answers is the hardest part. A dedicated care coordinator serves as your single point of contact, managing your scheduling, triaging your care, and ensuring you are scheduled for a specialty consultation within one week of your initial referral.
• A One-Stop Network for Referring Physicians: We partner seamlessly with outside providers to deliver a streamlined referral process. Our team respects your primary doctor’s ongoing follow-up preferences, keeping communication open and immediate.
• Unmatched Access to Advanced Treatments: From complex surgical reconstructions and melanoma management to cutting-edge immunotherapies like TIL therapy, we pool specialty clinical resources across Indiana to build a personalized treatment plan tailored to your diagnosis.
• Care Delivered Close to Home: We help you get back to your life quickly by coordinating care during your first visit and keeping ongoing treatment close to home.