| There are three main forms of skin cancer -- Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma. Basal Cell and Squamous Cell cancers are curable. Melanoma is also completely curable when detected early, but can be fatal if allowed to progress and spread. | ||
| Basal Cell Carcinoma: | ||
| BCC is the most common type of skin cancer and nearly one million Americans will develop Basal Cell Carcinoma this year alone. It is the most easily treated and the least likely to spread. Although basal cell carcinomas are rarely fatal, if not removed they can cause extensive damage to surrounding tissue and bone. Basal cell carcinomas also have a high recurrence rate; if you've had one basal cell carcinoma, you have a good chance of developing another within five years. | ||
| Squamous Cell Carcinoma: | ||
| SCC is the second most common skin cancer after basal cell carcinoma, and afflicts more than 200,000 Americans each year. Squamous cell carcinomas usually appear as crusted or scaly patches on the skin with a red, inflamed base, a growing tumor, or a non-healing ulcer. It is most often found on people with fair complexions. SCC is usually localized, but it can metastasize. When confined to the skin, it is easily treated and cured. | ||
| Melanoma: | ||
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Melanoma is the most serious skin cancer and can be deadly. It accounts for about 4% of
newly diagnosed skin cancers. Melanoma begins in the melanocytes, the cells that product
skin color. When you are exposed to the sun, the melanin in your skin increases and causes
your skin to darken. Melanoma is melanocytes that have been transformed into cancer cells
and grow abnormally. These cancer cells can spread to vital internal organs and grow,
making it more difficult to treat and much less likely to cure. |
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If a biopsy reveals skin cancer, our office will discuss the treatment options. Treatment
for skin cancer varies according to the type, location, extent, aggressiveness of the
cancer, and the patient's general health. The goals of treatment for skin cancer are to remove all of the cancer, reduce the chance of recurrence, preserve healthy skin tissue, and minimize scarring after surgery. |
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Advanced Dermatology, p.c.
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