conditions
As Skin Cancer Specialists, we treat a variety of different types of skin cancers and pre-cancers. Below are brief descriptions of the more common lesions we treat. For many we have included links to the American Academy of Dermatology Website where you can find more details. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call and we can schedule you in for a visit with one of our Dermatologists here are AboutSkin Dermatology. We can be reached by telephone at: 303.756.7546.
There are different types of Skin Cancers:
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer. It affects more than 800,000 Americans each year—making it the most common of all cancers. The major causes of BCCs are chronic sun exposure occurring most frequently on the face, ears, neck, scalp, shoulders, and back. On rare occasions, however, tumors develop on non sun-exposed areas. In a few cases, contact with arsenic, exposure to radiation (even from acne treatments many years ago), open sores that resist healing, chronic inflammatory skin conditions, and complications of burns, scars, infections, vaccination, or even tattoos are contributing factors.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR?
There are Five Warning signs of Basal Cell Carcinoma:
- AN OPEN SORE that bleeds, oozes, or crusts and remains open for three or more weeks. A persistent, non-healing sore is a very common sign of an early BCC.
- A REDDISH PATCH or irritated area, frequently occurring on the chest, shoulders, arms, or legs. Sometimes the patch crusts. It may also itch or hurt. At other times, it persists with no noticeable discomfort.
- A PINK GROWTH with a slightly elevated rolled border and a crusted indentation in the center. As the growth slowly enlarges, tiny blood vessels may develop on the surfaces.
- A SHINY BUMP, or nodule, that is pearly or translucent and is often pink, red, or white. The bump can also be tan, black, or brown, especially in dark-haired people, and can be confused with a mole.
- A SCAR-LIKE AREA that is white, yellow or waxy, and often has poorly defined borders; the skin itself appears shiny and taut. This warning sign can indicate the presence of an aggressive tumor.
Related Links:
Basal Cell Carcinoma AAD
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Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer after Basal Cell Carcinoma—afflicting more than 250,000 Americans each year. It arises from the epidermis (top layer of skin) and resembles the squamous cells that comprise most of the upper layers of skin. SCCs may occur on all areas of the body including the mucous membranes, but are most common in areas exposed to the sun.
Although SCCs usually remain confined to the epidermis for some time, they eventually penetrate the underlying tissues if not treated. When this happens, they can be disfiguring. In a small percentage of cases they spread (metastasize) to distant tissues and organs and can become fatal. SCCs that metastasize most often arise on sites of chronic inflammatory skin conditions or on the mucous membranes or lips.
SCCs are caused by chronic exposure to sunlight or certain kinds of skin injury, or it can be inherited. The good news is that they are often curable when detected and treated early.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR?
Some warning signs for Squamous cell carcinoma are:
- A persistent, scaly red patch with irregular borders that sometimes crusts or bleeds.
- An elevated growth with a central depression that occasionally bleeds. A growth of this type may rapidly increase in size.
- A wart-like growth that crusts and occasionally bleeds.
- An open sore that bleeds and crusts and persists for weeks.
TYPES OF TREATMENT
After the physician’s examination, the diagnosis of SCC is confirmed with a biopsy. In this procedure, a small piece of tissue is removed and examined in the laboratory under a microscope. If tumor cells are present, treatment—usually surgery—is required. Fortunately, there are several effective methods for eradicating SCC. Choice of treatment is based on the type, size, location, and depth of penetration of the tumor, as well as the patient’s age and general health. Treatment can almost always be performed on an outpatient basis in the physician’s office or at a clinic. With the various surgical techniques, a local anesthetic is commonly used. Pain or discomfort during the procedure is minimal, and pain afterwards is rare. The following listed treatments are available as outpatient treatments in our office:
» Excisional Surgery
» Mohs Micrograph Surgery
RISK OF RECURRENCE
People who have had one SCC are at risk of developing others over the years, either in the same area or elsewhere on the body. Therefore, regular visits to a dermatologist should become a routine part of health maintenance; and it is important at these visits to examine not only the site(s) previously treated, but the entire skin surface.
Related Links:
Prevention
Squamous Cell Carcinoma AAD
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Malignant Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that is estimated to affect 32,000 Americans every year. Melanoma may suddenly appear without a warning-but may also begin in or near an existing mole or other dark place on the skin. Below are the ABCD's of melanoma.
A stands for asymmetry. Beware of moles where one half doesn't match the other half in shape.
B for border. Watch for moles with ragged, blurred or irregular borders or edges.
C stands for color. Look for uneven coloration, more than one color, or moles with unusual colors.
D stands for diameter. Give special attention to moles with a diameter larger than the size of a pencil eraser.
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Actinic Keratosis is a common “pre-cancer” also referred to as AK or solar keratosis. It is a scaly or crusty bump that arises on the surface of the skin. The base may be light or dark, tan, pink, red, a combination of these, or even the same color as your skin. It may be itchy or if severe will bleed. AKs may disappear only to reappear later. These lesions need to be treated in order to hopefully prevent it from turning into a more severe skin cancer such as a Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Related Links:
Actinic Keratosis AAD
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