08/29/2025
Meet Dr. Rajiv Nijhawan, Associate Professor of Dermatology at UTSW, Director of the Parkland Skin Tumor Clinic, and Assistant Fellowship Director of the Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology fellowship program.
Dr. Nijhawan is a fellowship-trained Mohs micrographic surgeon, combining precision cancer removal with advanced reconstructive surgery to deliver both the highest cure rates and the best cosmetic outcomes for his patients.
He has also built a dedicated High-Risk Skin Cancer Transplant Clinic, providing specialized care for immunosuppressed patients who face unique challenges in skin cancer management.
Check out our mini interview with Dr. Nijhawan below ⬇️
Why did you decide to start the High-Risk Skin Cancer Transplant Clinic, and what impact has it had?
RN: Caring for transplant patients holds personal significance for me, as my father underwent a heart transplant while I was in medical school. This clinic addresses a critical need by providing early detection and timely access to care, as transplant patients face a significantly higher risk of developing skin cancers that often progress more rapidly and aggressively. Through a multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach, we strive to ensure these patients receive the highest level of care. I am proud of the clinic’s meaningful impact in optimizing treatment and outcomes, and it has been deeply rewarding for me to contribute to it as both a clinician and Mohs surgeon.
Where do you see the biggest opportunities for innovation in cutaneous oncology?
RN: There is still much to learn about how and why certain skin cancers develop, and ongoing advances are bringing new possibilities for care. Non-invasive testing may help identify more aggressive cancers earlier, allowing for treatment plans that are personalized to each patient’s unique tumor. In addition, there is great opportunity for research in intralesional and other therapies to potentially shrink cancers, reduce the need for extensive surgery, and in some cases even achieve a complete cure. These innovations would be an important step forward in providing safer, more effective, and more individualized care for our patients.
