Skin Cancer

What is skin cancer?

Skin cancer, like all types of cancer, is the abnormal growth of cells that can eventually destroy the tissue around it or spread to other areas of your body. There are several different types of skin cancer, and some are much more destructive than others. Foothill Dermatology Medical Center can diagnose and treat the following types of skin cancer:

• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
• Melanoma
• Merkel cell cancers
• Sebaceous carcinoma
  
  

SCC and BCC are two of the most mild but common, and they rarely spread. Other forms, like melanoma, are more likely to spread quickly and become significantly harder to treat. While skin cancer can show up anywhere on your body, it most commonly appears in areas exposed to the sun because of ultraviolet (UV) light damage. 

What does skin cancer look like?

Skin cancer can appear as a new lesion or change the appearance of an existing mole you’ve had for years. It’s important to perform self skin evaluations or come in for skin cancer screening tests if you’re at a particularly high risk because of family history, sun exposure, or skin tone. 

Some possible features of skin cancer are:

• A raised dome or bump
• A scaly or dry patch
• A sore that doesn’t heal
• Bleeding and irritation
• Itching
• Black or brown blotches under a nail
  
  

You should keep track of what the moles on your body look like. If you notice one is changing in color, shape elevation, or size, you should report it to your dermatologist at Foothill Dermatology Medical Center for an evaluation and possible biopsy. 

How is skin cancer treated?

There are lots of options for skin cancer treatment, especially with early diagnosis. Your dermatologist at Foothill Dermatology Medical Center can remove cancerous skin lesions with several different forms of in-office surgery using local anesthesia, including traditional excision and cryosurgery (freezing).

Mohs surgery, a type of skin cancer surgery with a high cure rate and minimal scarring, is a specialty at Foothill Dermatology Medical Center. Your dermatologist removes the lesion layer by layer to keep the rest of your skin intact, examining every layer removed under a microscope for guidance. They repeat the process and can place stitches or a skin graft afterward. 

Skin cancers that have metastasized require more intensive and systemic treatment than direct removal, like chemotherapy or radiation therapy. 

If you’re uncertain about an existing mole, or see a new and unusual feature on your skin, it’s best to be safe and call for an evaluation. Book your appointment over the phone or online for skin cancer treatment at Foothill Dermatology Medical Center today.