Skin Cancer Treatment
Skin cancer is a serious health issue that affects people of all ages and all skin types. One in five Americans will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer during their lifetime.
Early detection and proper treatment of any skin cancer is critical. The Dermatologists and Physician Assistants at Coastal Skin Surgery & Dermatology are specially trained to recognize, diagnose and treat skin cancers of all types.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of cancer in the world. It is a type of skin cancer that usually occurs on sun-exposed areas like the head, trunk and extremities.
Melanoma
Melanoma is a cancer of melanocytes, the pigment producing cells of the body. Melanomas usually begin on the surface of the skin but can grow and spread through the body causing a life threatening illness.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer after basal cell carcinoma. This type of skin cancer usually affects middle aged or elderly light skinned individuals who have significant sun damage.
ABOUT SKIN CANCER
Melanoma Skin Cancer vs. Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common form of skin cancer and consist of basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Most basal cell and squamous cell cancers develop on sun-exposed areas of the skin, like the face, ears, neck, lips and the back of the hands. Depending on the type, they can be fast or slow growing. Basal cell and squamous cell cancers can be cured easily if found and treated early.
Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the melanocytes—the cells that produce the skin’s pigment known as melanin. Melanin helps protect the deeper layers of the skin from harmful effects of the sun. Melanoma is much less common than non-melanoma skin cancers, but is much more aggressive. A cure for Melanoma is most likely when it is discovered and treated in its earliest stages. Although melanoma accounts for only a small percentage of skin cancer, it is the primary cause of most skin cancer deaths.
Skin Cancer: Signs and Symptoms
A, is for asymmetry, meaning a mole is not the same on one side as the other
B, is for border irregularity, which refers to a border that is not straight
C, is for color variation, meaning more than one color in the same mole
D, is for diameter greater than 6mm, roughly the size of a pencil head eraser
E, is for evolving, a changing mole is a cause for concern.
Skin Cancer: Treatment
As a full-service dermatology practice, we provide patients with state-of-the-art, high quality skin cancer treatments and procedure options. Treatments for skin cancer do not need to be scary and, in fact, not all skin cancers may require surgery. Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology is proud to be one of the elite practices in the Emerald Coast Region and Northwest Florida to offer Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgery. A consultation with Dr. Adams or any of our skilled providers will help determine the most ideal treatment options.