What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer is a type of cancer that causes abnormal growth of skin cells. These cancerous lesions develop most often in the areas of your body that get the most sun, including the face, hands, shoulder, and chest.
Changes in your skin cell DNA triggers the growth of abnormal skin cells and cancerous lesions. Doctors theorize that overexposure to damaging ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or tanning beds cause a change in DNA.
What are the types of skin cancer?
There are many types of skin cancer. The most common types include:
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
BCC is the most prevalent type of skin cancer and often occurs on the head or neck. It appears as fleshy bumps, nodules, or a red patch of skin.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
SCC is the second most common type of skin cancer and may develop on the rim of the ear, face, near the mouth, or on the trunk of the body. SCC appears as a firm bump or a red, scaly patch.
Melanoma
Melanoma, or malignant melanoma, is the deadliest type of skin cancer. This cancer often looks like an abnormal mole. It may form anywhere on your body, including areas not exposed to the sun like the inside of your mouth or your genitals.
Melanoma is fast-growing cancer but highly treatable when caught early.
Actinic keratosis (AK)
AK are skin lesions that represent the earliest stages of skin cancer. They create small, scaly spots that may appear on the face, ears, neck, forearms, scalp, or back of the hand.
How is skin cancer diagnosed?
The experienced team at Stein Dermatology and Skin Surgery conduct comprehensive skin exams to diagnose skin cancer. Your provider reviews your medical and family history during your evaluation and then closely examines your skin from head to toe.
If your provider finds any abnormal growths, lesions, or moles, they take a biopsy of the lesion and send it to the lab for a diagnosis.
How is skin cancer treated?
Treatment for your skin cancer is individualized based on the type, size, location, and depth of your lesion.
For most types of skin cancer, the experts at Stein Dermatology and Skin Surgery perform Mohs Surgery. During the in-office procedure, your dermatologist removes your cancerous lesions one layer at a time until they reach noncancerous tissue.
When it comes to skin cancer treatment, Mohs surgery has the best cure rate. It also preserves the healthy skin surrounding your lesion.
To schedule your skin cancer evaluation, call Stein Dermatology and Skin Surgery, or book an appointment online today.
