Skin Cancer Treatment
Skin Cancer Treatment
Skin Cancer Types
Protect yourself by being aware of the various types of skin cancer, inspecting your entire body for skin changes, limiting sunlight exposure during peak sunlight hours, using sunscreen and taking routine visits to your dermatologist for skin examination.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. It occurs most frequently on sun-exposed regions of the body. Although it rarely spreads to other organs of the body, it can cause destruction of surrounding tissue. Thus, early detection and treatment are needed.
Some warning signs for basal cell carcinoma include an open sore, reddish patch, a growth with an elevated border and a central indentation, a bump or a nodule and a scar-like area.
To learn more about Basal Cell Carcinoma, click here.
Malignant Melanoma
Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer of melanocytes, the cells that produce dark, protective pigment called melanin. Individual lesions may appear as a dark brown, black or multi-colored growth with irregular borders that can become crusted and bleed.
Melanoma may affect anyone at any age and can occur anywhere on the body. An increased risk of developing this disease is seen in people who have fair skin, light hair and eye color, a family history of melanoma or who have had melanoma in the past. These tumors can arise in or near a preexisting mole or may appear without warning. Melanoma may spread to other organs, making it essential to treat this skin cancer early.
Overexposure to sunlight, especially when it results in sunburn and blistering, is a major cause of melanoma. We can protect ourselves by having less exposure to sunlight, especially during peak sunlight hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Limit sun exposure by wearing sunglasses, board-rimmed hats and protective, tightly woven clothing. Use sunscreen (rated SPF-15 or higher) on all exposed skin, including the lips, even on cloudy days.
After sections of tissue from a biopsy of your skin are assessed and determined to be melanoma, your dermatologist will discuss several treatment options.
Forms of treatment for melanoma include surgical excision, Mohs Micrographic surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Sometimes lymph nodes are removed. Your dermatologist will help you better understand these treatment options.
To learn more about Malignant Melanoma, click here.
Actinic Keratosis
Actinic Keratosis (AK) or solar keratosis is a cancer of the outer layer of skin that is caused by long exposure to sunlight. The skin becomes scaly, rough, discolored and sometimes tender to touch. AKs are most commonly found on sun-exposed areas such as the face, lips, ears, neck, scalp, forearms and backs of hands. People with fair skin and light-colored hair and eyes are at the greatest risk of developing AKs. Individuals who are immunosuppressed either by cancer chemotherapy treatments or organ transplants, and who have an immune-deficiency disorder, are also considered high risk for developing AKs.
AKs are not life threatening if detected and treated early. Left untreated, aggressive AKs have the potential to progress into squamous cell carcinoma, a serious type of skin cancer.
To learn more about Actinic Keratosis, click here.
Seborrheic Keratoses
Seborrheic Keratoses (SKs) are common, non-cancerous lesions that grow on the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) and can develop on any part of the body. SKs usually begin as rough, itchy bumps and can thicken and darken to a brown or black color over time. They are usually round or oval shaped growths with an elevated, rough surface and sometimes seem to be glued to the skin or dropped on like candle wax. Though they may appear to spread, SKs are not contagious. There is no known cause of SKs to date, but the lesions become more common with age. They are not believed to be caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays and do not have a higher chance of turning into skin cancer, including melanoma. SKs are not a sign of serious health issues except in very rare instances, when they can develop suddenly in very large numbers and can be associated with internal malignancies. Although harmless, SKs should be observed regularly, like the rest of your skin, for any changes in size, shape or color. Any growth that bleeds, itches or becomes irritated should be checked by a dermatologist.
To learn more about Seborrheic keratoses, click here.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma is a major type of cancer that arises from the outer epidermal layer of the skin and mucous membranes and occurs most commonly on areas exposed to the sun. If untreated, squamous cell carcinoma may penetrate and destroy underlying tissue. In a small percentage of cases, this tumor can spread to distant organs and may be fatal.
Burns, scars, exposure to radiation or chemicals, chronic inflammatory conditions and immunosuppression may also contribute to the development of this cancer.
To learn more about Squamous Cell Carcinoma, click here.
Prevent Skin Cancer
The skin cancer types mentioned above can be prevented and treated. Read below.
Avoiding the sun during peak sunlight hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is an important preventive measure to help reduce the risk of developing this skin cancer. Limit skin exposure by wearing sunglasses, broad-brimmed hats and protective, lightly woven clothing. Also use a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF-15 or higher, on all exposed skin, including the lips, even on cloudy days. Reapply sunscreen frequently. Additionally, avoid tanning parlors and artificial tanning devices.
Inspect your entire body regularly for any skin changes and routinely visit your dermatologist for a skin examination.
Treating Skin Cancer
After sections of tissue from a biopsy of your skin are assessed and determined to be Basal Cell Carcinoma, Malignant Melanoma or Squamous Cell Carcinoma, your dermatologist will discuss several treatment options. Your dermatologist’s choice of therapy depends on the size, location and subtype of skin cancer type. Age and general health are also taken into consideration.
Actinic Keratosis is often diagnosed and treated based on clinical appearance alone, but may sometimes need a biopsy.
Skin Cancer Types
Protect yourself by being aware of the various types of skin cancer, inspecting your entire body for skin changes, limiting sunlight exposure during peak sunlight hours, using sunscreen and taking routine visits to your dermatologist for skin examination.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. It occurs most frequently on sun-exposed regions of the body. Although it rarely spreads to other organs of the body, it can cause destruction of surrounding tissue. Thus, early detection and treatment are needed.
Some warning signs for basal cell carcinoma include an open sore, reddish patch, a growth with an elevated border and a central indentation, a bump or a nodule and a scar-like area.
To learn more about Basal Cell Carcinoma, click here.
Malignant Melanoma
Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer of melanocytes, the cells that produce dark, protective pigment called melanin. Individual lesions may appear as a dark brown, black or multi-colored growth with irregular borders that can become crusted and bleed.
Melanoma may affect anyone at any age and can occur anywhere on the body. An increased risk of developing this disease is seen in people who have fair skin, light hair and eye color, a family history of melanoma or who have had melanoma in the past. These tumors can arise in or near a preexisting mole or may appear without warning. Melanoma may spread to other organs, making it essential to treat this skin cancer early.
Overexposure to sunlight, especially when it results in sunburn and blistering, is a major cause of melanoma. We can protect ourselves by having less exposure to sunlight, especially during peak sunlight hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Limit sun exposure by wearing sunglasses, board-rimmed hats and protective, tightly woven clothing. Use sunscreen (rated SPF-15 or higher) on all exposed skin, including the lips, even on cloudy days.
After sections of tissue from a biopsy of your skin are assessed and determined to be melanoma, your dermatologist will discuss several treatment options.
Forms of treatment for melanoma include surgical excision, Mohs Micrographic surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Sometimes lymph nodes are removed. Your dermatologist will help you better understand these treatment options.
To learn more about Malignant Melanoma, click here.
Actinic Keratosis
Actinic Keratosis (AK) or solar keratosis is a cancer of the outer layer of skin that is caused by long exposure to sunlight. The skin becomes scaly, rough, discolored and sometimes tender to touch. AKs are most commonly found on sun-exposed areas such as the face, lips, ears, neck, scalp, forearms and backs of hands. People with fair skin and light-colored hair and eyes are at the greatest risk of developing AKs. Individuals who are immunosuppressed either by cancer chemotherapy treatments or organ transplants, and who have an immune-deficiency disorder, are also considered high risk for developing AKs.
AKs are not life threatening if detected and treated early. Left untreated, aggressive AKs have the potential to progress into squamous cell carcinoma, a serious type of skin cancer.
To learn more about Actinic Keratosis, click here.
Seborrheic Keratoses
Seborrheic Keratoses (SKs) are common, non-cancerous lesions that grow on the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) and can develop on any part of the body. SKs usually begin as rough, itchy bumps and can thicken and darken to a brown or black color over time. They are usually round or oval shaped growths with an elevated, rough surface and sometimes seem to be glued to the skin or dropped on like candle wax. Though they may appear to spread, SKs are not contagious. There is no known cause of SKs to date, but the lesions become more common with age. They are not believed to be caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays and do not have a higher chance of turning into skin cancer, including melanoma. SKs are not a sign of serious health issues except in very rare instances, when they can develop suddenly in very large numbers and can be associated with internal malignancies. Although harmless, SKs should be observed regularly, like the rest of your skin, for any changes in size, shape or color. Any growth that bleeds, itches or becomes irritated should be checked by a dermatologist.
To learn more about Seborrheic keratoses, click here.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma is a major type of cancer that arises from the outer epidermal layer of the skin and mucous membranes and occurs most commonly on areas exposed to the sun. If untreated, squamous cell carcinoma may penetrate and destroy underlying tissue. In a small percentage of cases, this tumor can spread to distant organs and may be fatal.
Burns, scars, exposure to radiation or chemicals, chronic inflammatory conditions and immunosuppression may also contribute to the development of this cancer.
To learn more about Squamous Cell Carcinoma, click here.
Prevent Skin Cancer
The skin cancer types mentioned above can be prevented and treated. Read below.
Avoiding the sun during peak sunlight hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is an important preventive measure to help reduce the risk of developing this skin cancer. Limit skin exposure by wearing sunglasses, broad-brimmed hats and protective, lightly woven clothing. Also use a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF-15 or higher, on all exposed skin, including the lips, even on cloudy days. Reapply sunscreen frequently. Additionally, avoid tanning parlors and artificial tanning devices.
Inspect your entire body regularly for any skin changes and routinely visit your dermatologist for a skin examination.
Treating Skin Cancer
After sections of tissue from a biopsy of your skin are assessed and determined to be Basal Cell Carcinoma, Malignant Melanoma or Squamous Cell Carcinoma, your dermatologist will discuss several treatment options. Your dermatologist’s choice of therapy depends on the size, location and subtype of skin cancer type. Age and general health are also taken into consideration.
Actinic Keratosis is often diagnosed and treated based on clinical appearance alone, but may sometimes need a biopsy.
Skin Cancer Types
Protect yourself by being aware of the various types of skin cancer, inspecting your entire body for skin changes, limiting sunlight exposure during peak sunlight hours, using sunscreen and taking routine visits to your dermatologist for skin examination.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. It occurs most frequently on sun-exposed regions of the body. Although it rarely spreads to other organs of the body, it can cause destruction of surrounding tissue. Thus, early detection and treatment are needed.
Some warning signs for basal cell carcinoma include an open sore, reddish patch, a growth with an elevated border and a central indentation, a bump or a nodule and a scar-like area.
To learn more about Basal Cell Carcinoma, click here.
Malignant Melanoma
Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer of melanocytes, the cells that produce dark, protective pigment called melanin. Individual lesions may appear as a dark brown, black or multi-colored growth with irregular borders that can become crusted and bleed.
Melanoma may affect anyone at any age and can occur anywhere on the body. An increased risk of developing this disease is seen in people who have fair skin, light hair and eye color, a family history of melanoma or who have had melanoma in the past. These tumors can arise in or near a preexisting mole or may appear without warning. Melanoma may spread to other organs, making it essential to treat this skin cancer early.
Overexposure to sunlight, especially when it results in sunburn and blistering, is a major cause of melanoma. We can protect ourselves by having less exposure to sunlight, especially during peak sunlight hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Limit sun exposure by wearing sunglasses, board-rimmed hats and protective, tightly woven clothing. Use sunscreen (rated SPF-15 or higher) on all exposed skin, including the lips, even on cloudy days.
After sections of tissue from a biopsy of your skin are assessed and determined to be melanoma, your dermatologist will discuss several treatment options.
Forms of treatment for melanoma include surgical excision, Mohs Micrographic surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Sometimes lymph nodes are removed. Your dermatologist will help you better understand these treatment options.
To learn more about Malignant Melanoma, click here.
Actinic Keratosis
Actinic Keratosis (AK) or solar keratosis is a cancer of the outer layer of skin that is caused by long exposure to sunlight. The skin becomes scaly, rough, discolored and sometimes tender to touch. AKs are most commonly found on sun-exposed areas such as the face, lips, ears, neck, scalp, forearms and backs of hands. People with fair skin and light-colored hair and eyes are at the greatest risk of developing AKs. Individuals who are immunosuppressed either by cancer chemotherapy treatments or organ transplants, and who have an immune-deficiency disorder, are also considered high risk for developing AKs.
AKs are not life threatening if detected and treated early. Left untreated, aggressive AKs have the potential to progress into squamous cell carcinoma, a serious type of skin cancer.
To learn more about Actinic Keratosis, click here.
Seborrheic Keratoses
Seborrheic Keratoses (SKs) are common, non-cancerous lesions that grow on the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) and can develop on any part of the body. SKs usually begin as rough, itchy bumps and can thicken and darken to a brown or black color over time. They are usually round or oval shaped growths with an elevated, rough surface and sometimes seem to be glued to the skin or dropped on like candle wax. Though they may appear to spread, SKs are not contagious. There is no known cause of SKs to date, but the lesions become more common with age. They are not believed to be caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays and do not have a higher chance of turning into skin cancer, including melanoma. SKs are not a sign of serious health issues except in very rare instances, when they can develop suddenly in very large numbers and can be associated with internal malignancies. Although harmless, SKs should be observed regularly, like the rest of your skin, for any changes in size, shape or color. Any growth that bleeds, itches or becomes irritated should be checked by a dermatologist.
To learn more about Seborrheic keratoses, click here.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma is a major type of cancer that arises from the outer epidermal layer of the skin and mucous membranes and occurs most commonly on areas exposed to the sun. If untreated, squamous cell carcinoma may penetrate and destroy underlying tissue. In a small percentage of cases, this tumor can spread to distant organs and may be fatal.
Burns, scars, exposure to radiation or chemicals, chronic inflammatory conditions and immunosuppression may also contribute to the development of this cancer.
To learn more about Squamous Cell Carcinoma, click here.
Prevent Skin Cancer
The skin cancer types mentioned above can be prevented and treated. Read below.
Avoiding the sun during peak sunlight hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is an important preventive measure to help reduce the risk of developing this skin cancer. Limit skin exposure by wearing sunglasses, broad-brimmed hats and protective, lightly woven clothing. Also use a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF-15 or higher, on all exposed skin, including the lips, even on cloudy days. Reapply sunscreen frequently. Additionally, avoid tanning parlors and artificial tanning devices.
Inspect your entire body regularly for any skin changes and routinely visit your dermatologist for a skin examination.
Treating Skin Cancer
After sections of tissue from a biopsy of your skin are assessed and determined to be Basal Cell Carcinoma, Malignant Melanoma or Squamous Cell Carcinoma, your dermatologist will discuss several treatment options. Your dermatologist’s choice of therapy depends on the size, location and subtype of skin cancer type. Age and general health are also taken into consideration.
Actinic Keratosis is often diagnosed and treated based on clinical appearance alone, but may sometimes need a biopsy.