Skin Cancer Treatments

WHAT IS SKIN CANCER?

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, more common than all other cancers combined. At least 1 in 5 people will get a skin cancer sometime during his or her life. When detected and treated early, most types of skin cancer have very high cure rates. At Beer Dermatology, we are skin cancer experts specializing in prevention, early detection, and highest cure-rate treatments.

TYPES OF SKIN CANCER

• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
  This is the most common type of skin cancer, often presenting as a pimple that doesn’t go away or a rough pink-red spot or flesh colored skin growth. BCCs typically grow slowly and do not spread to other parts of the body; however, BCCs do not resolve on their own and should be treated as soon as possible.
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
  SCC is a common type of skin cancer that derives from squamous-type skin cells. They often look like a scaly red spot, or a sore that doesn’t heal. These cancers may grow more quickly than BCCs and can spread to lymph nodes in some circumstances.
• Malignant melanoma in situ (MMis)
  MMis is a type of skin cancer that derives from melanocytes, the pigment cells of the skin, and are therefore often brownish in color. In situ mean “in place,” and this place is the epidermis, or top layer of the skin. When MMis tumors are treated quickly and appropriately, they have very high cure rates. On the other hand, if these initially shallow tumors are allowed to grow without treatment, they may expand and send roots into deeper layers of the skin or beyond.
• Malignant melanoma (MM)
  Invasive MM is considered the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It typically looks like an unusual mole that is asymmetric, has irregular borders or multiple colors, and is larger than a pencil tip eraser. Although sun exposure is a risk factor, genetics also play a role. If one of your immediate family members has had a MM, your chance of getting one is higher than someone who has no family history of this diagnosis. If detected early, MM is most often curable through minor surgery.
• Rare skin cancers
  Less common forms of skin cancer include Merkel cell carcinoma, sebaceous carcinoma, adnexal carcinoma, eccrine or apocrine carcinoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP), atypical xanthoma, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, and skin T-cell or B-cell lymphomas. Treatment varies depending on the exact cancer type, its location on your body, and its aggressiveness. At Beer Dermatology, we will help formulate the best evidence-based treatment plan for you, which could include medications, surgery, or coordination of care with other local cancer physicians.

WHAT IS A DYSPLASTIC NEVUS?

A dysplastic nevus is a type of mole that looks unusual or atypical. “Typical” moles have round borders, are symmetric, uniform in color, and less than ¼ of an inch wide. Atypical moles could be several colors, from pink to brown to almost black. They also tend to have irregular, asymmetric borders and are sometimes larger than ¼ of an inch wide. Dysplastic nevi may occur anywhere on the body, but are most often found on skin that has had significant sun exposure. The more dysplastic a nevus is under a microscope, the higher the chance is of the nevus turning into a melanoma skin cancer. For this reason, severely dysplastic nevi are often removed. If you or an immediately family member has many dysplastic nevi, it is important that you schedule regular [total body examinations].

WHAT IS A PRE-SKIN CANCER?

A pre-skin cancer typically presents as a rough, red spot that is easier to feel than to see. Pre-skin cancers are also known as an actinic or solar keratosis, and are often caused be repeated sun exposure and therefore found on the face, ears, scalp, arms and hands. Pre-skin cancers are often treated with liquid nitrogen or topical medications, such as Efudex (5-fluorouracil) or Aldara (imiquimod), medications that selectively destroy pre-skin cancer cells while sparing surrounding normal cells.

IF YOU SUSPECT YOU HAVE SKIN CANCER, WE’RE HERE TO HELP

At Beer Dermatology, our dermatologists are considered leading authorities in skin cancer treatment. Schedule your skin exam or skin cancer treatment today by calling our staff at (561) 600-4848 (West Palm Beach) or (561) 430-2767 (Jupiter).