Skin Cancer

There are several different types of skin cancer with varying degrees of severity. Some will require surgical intervention to remove cancerous growths or tumors. Others may only need a topical medication.

Skin Cancer Types

Below are the three common skin cancer types:

• Basal cell carcinoma is very common. This skin cancer affects the basal cells in the epidermis. It appears on areas of the skin that are routinely exposed to the sun.
• Squamous cell carcinoma develops in the epithelium. It may look like a red scaly patch with an inflamed base. It is generally found on skin areas that are routinely exposed to the sun, but can occur elsewhere on the body.
• Melanoma is the most serious skin cancer type. The abnormal growth of melanocytes (the cells that give skin its color) is thought to be the cause of melanoma. For any skin lesion and especially for melanoma, early diagnosis is very important.

Skin Cancer Surgery: What’s involved?

Mohs surgery involves the removal of a tumor and immediate inspection with a microscope. Other methods include excisional surgery, curettage with electrodesiccation and cryosurgery.

Topical skin cancer treatments for basal cell carcinomas include Imiquimod and 5-Fluorouracil. They are rubbed into a tumor for several weeks to stimulate the immune system.

To learn more about skin cancer warning signs, see skincancer.org. To learn more about skin cancer diagnosis and treatment in Philadelphia, call our office to schedule a consultation.