Elective Course Description
The Dermatology Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center focuses on the clinical and research aspects of cutaneous disorders, especially skin cancers, cutaneous manifestations of malignancy, and skin reactions to chemotherapy and targeted therapy. This elective will provide an exciting experience for medical students exploring cutaneous oncology and dermatology in cancer patients.
Learning Objectives
- Students will learn to take a history from patients with emphasis on history of skin cancer, sun exposure, and sun sensitivity, and will learn how to perform a complete skin examination.
- They will gain familiarity with different types of skin biopsies and various treatment modalities for skin cancers and precancerous conditions.
- They will have exposure to dermoscopy as a diagnostic tool and total body photography for monitoring skin lesions in patients with high-risk for melanoma.
- Students will learn to diagnose and treat various skin disorders in cancer patients who are on chemotherapy and targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
- They will have the opportunity to participate in educational activities such as our Tuesday Faculty/Research Conference and Thursday Dermatopathology Conference.
- If interested, students will have the opportunity to rotate and make rounds with our Inpatient Consult attending at the Main Campus.
- Students are encouraged to practice evidence-based medicine through critical reading of literature.
Suggested Literature
- PRS Journal: Melanoma of the Lentigo Maligna Subtype: Diagnostic Challenges and Current Treatment Paradigms
- ACP Medicine: Malignant Cutaneous Tumors
- UpToDate: Mohs surgery
- American Academy of Dermatology Basic Dermatology Curriculum
