Skip to main content
Dekker Deacon
( out of 137 reviews )

Dekker Deacon, MD, PhD

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Huntsman Cancer Institute - Cancer Hospital South

Clinic 2C, Dermatology/Melanoma
Salt Lake City
801-587-7000

University of Utah Hospital

Dermatology, Area E
Salt Lake City
  • Dekker C. Deacon, MD, PhD completed his residency in dermatology at the University of Utah and has a special interest in the genetics of skin cancer and skin cancer treatment, including Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Melanoma and others. He is a member of the Melanoma Disease Center, and regularly participates in a weekly melanoma multidisciplinary treatment planning conference. In addition to skin cancer, which he treats at both The Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Utah Hospital clinics, Dr. Deacon sees general dermatology patients for a wide range of conditions including Actinic Keratoses, Acne, Warts, Psoriasis, Dermatitis, Rosacea, Hives, Rashes, Skin Lesions, Cysts, Skin Infections, Excessive Sweating, Hair and Nail Disease, and Drug Reactions. In his free time, he enjoys spending time hiking, biking, and skiing with his wife.

    Patient Rating

    4.9 /5
    ( out of 137 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety.
    Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    September 30, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    I'm not a physician, so take my opinion for what it's worth, but I feel very lucky and thankful that Dr. Deacon is my doc. He is very likable, and appears to know a vast amount about dermatology. I come from far away to see him, if that tells you anything. He is also a very good communicator via MyChart, which is something else I value.

    September 29, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Listened to me circumstances and approached the surgery accordingly.

    September 27, 2024
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    Dr. Dekker deacon is a knowledgeable person. His talent in finding out the reason for a skin problem is admirable.

    September 26, 2024
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    Dr Deacon is caring, experienced, knowledgeable and by far the absolute best dermatologist I have seen in 73 years! !!!

    September 19, 2024
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    Doctor Dekker Deacon is an extremely intelligent dermatologist with all of the professionalism and expertise anyone could ever want. What a fantastic experience it was to visit with the very best doctor I've ever seen to solve the issues I've been dealing with. Thank you !!!

    September 12, 2024
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    Dr. Deacon has been a pivotal influence for my overall care. He has been incredibly supportive and genuinely has done all he can to problem solve as issues come up. Having a complex condition that is so rare the research is happening currently which limits the ability of all my providers to come up with a treatment plan that works for a good amount of time. Each provider has done their best including Dr. Deacon. Infact he has been at the forefront of this along with another provider from the hematology clinic. His willingness to collaborate for my best interest is part of what helps me feel confident in his care. He isn't afraid to say I don't know, while still reassuring me that he is making recommendations based off insight and understanding of the overall complexity. I know he has my best interest at heart which makes me feel more open to trying new interventions he offers.

    September 12, 2024
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    Excellent care for several years always had my issues and concerns at great concern to him

    July 27, 2024
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    Every procedure he has performed for me has been comfortable, empathetic and carefully explained.

    July 27, 2024
    UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

    Very pleased with Dr Deacon. He is comforting, thorough and patient as I question things!!

  • Dekker C. Deacon, MD, PhD completed his residency in dermatology at the University of Utah and has a special interest in the genetics of skin cancer and skin cancer treatment, including Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Melanoma and others. He is a member of the Melanoma Disease Center, and regularly participates in a weekly melanoma multidisciplinary treatment planning conference. In addition to skin cancer, which he treats at both The Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Utah Hospital clinics, Dr. Deacon sees general dermatology patients for a wide range of conditions including Actinic Keratoses, Acne, Warts, Psoriasis, Dermatitis, Rosacea, Hives, Rashes, Skin Lesions, Cysts, Skin Infections, Excessive Sweating, Hair and Nail Disease, and Drug Reactions. In his free time, he enjoys spending time hiking, biking, and skiing with his wife.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Dermatology -Primary

    Education history

    Chief Resident Dermatology - University of Utah School of Medicine Chief Resident
    Dermatology - University of Utah School of Medicine Resident
    Internship Internal Medicine Preliminary Year - University of Utah School of Medicine Intern
    Biomedical Sciences - University of California, San Diego Ph.D.
    Professional Medical Medical Scientist Training Program - University of California, San Diego School of Medicine M.D.
    Molecular Biology and Biochemistry - Middlebury College B.A.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Chhibber T, Scherzer MT, Prokofyeva A, Becker C, Zitnay RG, Smith E, Khurana N, Skliar M, Deacon DC, VanBrocklin MW, Ghandehari H, Judson-Torres RL, Jafari P (2024). Transdermal Delivery of Ultradeformable Cationic Liposomes Complexed with miR211-5p (UCL-211) Stabilizes BRAFV600E+ Melanocytic Nevi. bioRxiv. (Read full article)
    2. Basurto-Lozada P, Vzquez-Cruz ME, Molina-Aguilar C, Jiang A, Deacon DC, Cerrato-Izaguirre D, Simonin-Wilmer I, Arriaga-Gonzlez FG, Contreras-Ramrez KL, Dawson ET, Wong-Ramirez JRC, Ramos-Galguera JI, lvarez-Cano A, Garca-Ortega DY, Garca-Salinas OI, Hidalgo-Miranda A, Cisneros-Villanueva M, Martnez-Said H, Arends MJ, Ferreira I, Tullett M, Olvera-Len R, van der Weyden L, Del Castillo Velasco Herrera M, Roldn-Marn R, Vidaurri de la Cruz H, Tavares-de-la-Paz LA, Hinojosa-Ugarte D, Belote RL, Bishop DT, Daz-Gay M, Alexandrov LB, Snchez-Prez Y, In GK, White RM, Possik PA, Judson-Torres RL, Adams DJ, Robles-Espinoza CD (2024). Ancestry and somatic profile predict acral melanoma origin and prognosis. (Read full article)
    3. Deacon DC, Stubben C, Marcacci E, Stone CJ, Birdsall M, Florell SR, Boucher K, Grossman D, Judson-Torres RL (2024). Classification of Cutaneous Melanoma and Melanocytic Nevi with microRNA Ratios is Preserved in the Acral Melanoma Subtype. J Invest Dermatol. (Read full article)
    4. Smith EA, Belote RL, Cruz NM, Moustafa TE, Becker CA, Jiang A, Alizada S, Chan TY, Seasor TA, Balatico M, Cortes-Sanchez E, Lum DH, Hyngstrom JR, Zeng H, Deacon DC, Grossmann AH, White RM, Zangle TA, Judson-Torres RL (2024). Receptor tyrosine kinase inhibition leads to regression of acral melanoma by targeting the tumor microenvironment. bioRxiv. (Read full article)
    5. McMahon M, Deacon DC (2024). Spatial sequencing reveals transcriptional variation between amelanotic and pigmented acral melanoma. Br J Dermatol, 191(4), 483-484. (Read full article)
    6. Kenyon CM, Kelly BG, Bowen AR, Gumbleton M, Deacon DC (2024). Lichen striatus as an immune-related adverse event following ipilimumab/nivolumab and COVID-19 infection in an adult. JAAD Case Rep, 52, 34-37. (Read full article)
    7. Fastner S, Rahman H, Gutierrez J, Shen N, Florell SR, Florell A, Stubben CJ, Boucher KM, Deacon DC, Judson-Torres RL, Grossman D (2024). MicroRNA Signatures Associated with Basal Cell Carcinoma Subtypes. JID Innov, 4(4), 100286. (Read full article)
    8. Scherzer MT, Deacon DC, Judson-Torres RL (2023). Perilesional Epigenomes Distinguish Melanocytic Nevus Subtypes. J Invest Dermatol, 143(9), 1631-1633. (Read full article)
    9. Kelly BG, Liu T, Deacon DC (2023). Persistent Green-Blue Plaque in a Healthy Woman. JAMA Dermatol, 159(3), 335-336. (Read full article)
    10. Kuceki G, Deacon DC, Secrest AM (2022). Amelanotic Melanoma Treated as Fungal Infection for Years. Case Reports in Dermatological Medicine, 2022(Article ID 2598965), 1-3.
    11. Sahni DR, Deacon DC, Madigan LM (2022). The impact of seasonal temperature variation on the incidence of pernio during the COVID19 pandemic. JAAD Int, 10, 3-5. (Read full article)
    12. Deacon DC, Smith EA, Judson-Torres RL (2021). Molecular Biomarkers for Melanoma Screening, Diagnosis and Prognosis: Current State and Future Prospects. Front Med (Lausanne), 8, 642380. (Read full article)
    13. Deacon DC, Madigan LM (2020). Inpatient teledermatology in the era of COVID-19 and the importance of the complete skin examination. JAAD Case Rep, 6(10), 977-978. (Read full article)
    14. Grossman D, Okwundu N, Bartlett EK, Marchetti MA, Othus M, Coit DG, Hartman RI, Leachman SA, Berry EG, Korde L, Lee SJ, Bar-Eli M, Berwick M, Bowles T, Buchbinder EI, Burton EM, Chu EY, Curiel-Lewandrowski C, Curtis JA, Daud A, Deacon DC, Ferris LK, Gershenwald JE, Grossmann KF, Hu-Lieskovan S, Hyngstrom J, Jeter JM, Judson-Torres RL, Kendra KL, Kim CC, Kirkwood JM, Lawson DH, Leming PD, Long GV, Marghoob AA, Mehnert JM, Ming ME, Nelson KC, Polsky D, Scolyer RA, Smith EA, Sondak VK, Stark MS, Stein JA, Thompson JA, Thompson JF, Venna SS, Wei ML, Swetter SM (2021). Prognostic Gene Expression Profiling in Cutaneous Melanoma: Identifying the Knowledge Gaps and Assessing the Clinical Benefit. JAMA Dermatol, 156(9), 1004-1011. (Read full article)
    15. Topham C, Deacon DC, Bowen A, Cipriano SD (2019). More than goosebumps: A case of marked skin dimpling in an infant. Pediatr Dermatol, 36(3), e71-e72. (Read full article)
    16. Deacon DC, Happe CL, Chen C, Tedeschi N, Manso AM, Li T, Dalton ND, Peng Q, Farah EN, Gu Y, Tenerelli KP, Tran VD, Chen J, Peterson KL, Schork NJ, Adler ED, Engler AJ, Ross RS, Chi NC (2019). Combinatorial interactions of genetic variants in human cardiomyopathy. Nat Biomed Eng, 3(2), 147-157. (Read full article)
    17. Veevers J, Farah EN, Corselli M, Witty AD, Palomares K, Vidal JG, Emre N, Carson CT, Ouyang K, Liu C, van Vliet P, Zhu M, Hegarty JM, Deacon DC, Grinstein JD, Dirschinger RJ, Frazer KA, Adler ED, Knowlton KU, Chi NC, Martin JC, Chen J, Evans SM (2018). Cell-Surface Marker Signature for Enrichment of Ventricular Cardiomyocytes Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem Cell Reports, 11(3), 828-841. (Read full article)
    18. Hashem SI, Perry CN, Bauer M, Han S, Clegg SD, Ouyang K, Deacon DC, Spinharney M, Panopoulos AD, Izpisua Belmonte JC, Frazer KA, Chen J, Gong Q, Zhou Z, Chi NC, Adler ED (2015). Brief Report: Oxidative Stress Mediates Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis in a Human Model of Danon Disease and Heart Failure. Stem Cells, 33(7), 2343-50. (Read full article)
    19. Zhang K, Deacon DC, Rao F, Schork AJ, Fung MM, Waalen J, Schork NJ, Nievergelt CM, Chi NC, OConnor DT (2013). Human heart rate: heritability of resting and stress values in twin pairs, and influence of genetic variation in the adrenergic pathway at a microribonucleic acid (microrna) motif in the 3'-UTR of cytochrome b561 [corrected]. J Am Coll Cardiol, 63(4), 358-68. (Read full article)
    20. Qiao H, Prasada Rao HB, Yang Y, Fong JH, Cloutier JM, Deacon DC, Nagel KE, Swartz RK, Strong E, Holloway JK, Cohen PE, Schimenti J, Ward J, Hunter N (2014). Antagonistic roles of ubiquitin ligase HEI10 and SUMO ligase RNF212 regulate meiotic recombination. Nat Genet, 46(2), 194-9. (Read full article)
    21. Yoshioka N, Gros E, Li HR, Kumar S, Deacon DC, Maron C, Muotri AR, Chi NC, Fu XD, Yu BD, Dowdy SF (2012). Efficient generation of human iPSCs by a synthetic self-replicative RNA. Cell Stem Cell, 13(2), 246-54. (Read full article)
    22. Deacon DC, Nevis KR, Cashman TJ, Zhou Y, Zhao L, Washko D, Guner-Ataman B, Burns CG, Burns CE (2010). The miR-143-adducin3 pathway is essential for cardiac chamber morphogenesis. Development, 137(11), 1887-96. (Read full article)
    23. Ward JO, Reinholdt LG, Motley WW, Niswander LM, Deacon DC, Griffin LB, Langlais KK, Backus VL, Schimenti KJ, OBrien MJ, Eppig JJ, Schimenti JC (2007). Mutation in mouse hei10, an e3 ubiquitin ligase, disrupts meiotic crossing over. PLoS Genet, 3(8), e139. (Read full article)