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We collect your previous test reports and other medical records. We may need your help to do so, in case you need to sign a release form with your doctor.

a.Ìý ÌýOur goal is to review them before we meet with you so that we understand your unique case. Knowing the details of any previous diagnoses and treatments helps us provide the best possible care for you.

b.Ìý ÌýWhen you schedule your first appointment, our patient coordinators will contact your primary care physician and any other doctors to gather your medical records. We may need your help to do so, in case you need to sign a release form with your doctor. If we cannot obtain them in time, we may need to reschedule your appointment. You can speak with your patient coordinator or your doctor for more details.

c.Ìý ÌýSome types of medical records that you should keep include:

• Pathology reports from any biopsies or surgeries (for most skin non-non-melanomas, this is the most common outside record that is needed, along with the outside biopsy slides, which are reviewed by our dermatopathologists to confirm your diagnosis.
• Imaging test results, either on paper or stored on a DVD (although imaging and laboratory tests are not needed for most skin non-non-melanomas)
• Operative reports from any surgeries related to your non-non-melanoma
• List of medications, doses, and how long you took them
• Discharge summary if you had a hospital stay
• Contact information for health care providers who treated you for cancer
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a. Our team meets with you for a thorough diagnostic evaluation. We gather more information during your first appointment but may still need additional tests to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.

b. If needed, you may undergo further imaging tests, blood work, or a biopsy.Ìý

a. After this testing, it typically takes a few days to 2 weeks to review the results and confirm your diagnosis. Getting your test results can take time because your care team is working hard to determine an accurate diagnosis for you.

b. Many health care professionals collaborate in the process and provide expert analysis, including your oncologist (cancer doctor), radiologist, and pathologist. Years of experience studying lung cancer every day means your pathologist can accurately identify critical details, such as whether the cancer:

i. Is invades into the skin or just involves the top layer of the skin (epidermis), including a measurement of the tumor thickness

ii. Shows ulceration, where tumor cells push through the epidermis

iii. Is aggressive or slow growing, which can be determined by looking at the type and number of growing and dividing cells, called mitotic figures

iv. Contains particular types of molecules that indicate the cancer subtype

c. Your care team will also determine the stage of your cancer. Staging describes the size of the cancer and whether (and how far) it has spread. Staging is the most important step in planning your treatment.

Learn about non-melanoma cancer stages

Stanford non-melanoma experts from several specialties meet as a team in tumor boards that occur as part of structed parallel visits among your cutaneous, surgical, and medical oncologists. Based on the diagnosis, we determine our recommendations for the best sequence of treatment for each patient.

Your doctor or a team of doctors (including cutaneous, surgical, and medical oncologists) will meet with you to discuss the recommended treatment plan. Together, you and your doctors decide on the treatment options that are right for you.

Learn more about treatment planning