Skin Cancer Specialist

Who is at greatest risk for skin cancer?

The primary cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet radiation, mostly from the sun, but also from artificial sources like tanning booths. About 80% of skin cancers appear on the face, head, or neck.

Anyone can develop skin cancer, but those at greatest risk have:

• Fair skin that burns or freckles easily
• Light-colored hair and eyes
• Numerous moles, or moles of unusual size or shape
• A family history of skin cancer or a personal history of blistering sunburn
• Spent a lot of time outdoors
• Live closer to the equator, at a higher altitude, or in any place that gets intense, year-round sunshine
• Received therapeutic radiation treatments for adolescent acne

What are the different types of skin cancer?

There are three main types of skin cancer:

Basal cell carcinoma

The most common type of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma, comprising 80% of all skin cancers. It’s also the least dangerous because it grows slowly. Though rarely life-threatening, when left untreated it can grow deep beneath the skin and into the underlying tissue and bone, causing serious damage.

Squamous cell carcinoma

This is the second most frequent skin cancer, accounting for 15% of all cases. Squamous cell carcinoma most commonly develops on the lips, face, or ears. While squamous cell carcinoma tends to grow slowly and is easily treated, it can become aggressive and spread to the lymph nodes and internal organs, making it life-threatening if left untreated.

Melanoma

The least prevalent but deadliest form of cancer is malignant melanoma, which accounts for 4-5% of skin cancers. If discovered and treated early, it can be completely cured, but if it’s not treated quickly, it may spread throughout the body and is often deadly.

What does skin cancer look like?

Basal and squamous cell carcinomas can vary widely in appearance. The cancer may begin as small, white or pink nodules or bumps, or it may be smooth and shiny, waxy, or pitted on the surface.

It can also appear as a red spot that’s rough, dry, or scaly; a firm, red lump that may form a crust; a crusted group of nodules; a sore that bleeds or doesn’t heal after two to four weeks; a white patch that looks like scar tissue.

A change in the size, shape, or color of an existing mole usually signals malignant melanoma, but it can also be a new growth on normal skin. Watch for the “ABCD” warning signs of melanoma:

• Asymmetry – a growth with unmatched halves
• Border – irregularity, ragged or blurred edges
• Color – a mottled appearance, with shades of tan, brown, and black, sometimes mixed with red, white, or blue
• Diameter – a growth more than six millimeters across (about the size of a pencil eraser) or any unusual increase in size

The best skin cancer prevention is to know your skin and examine it regularly, from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. (Don’t forget your back.) If you notice any unusual changes on any part of your body, contact Dermatology Consultants of Gloucester so Dr. Gardner can check it out.

What other skin growths should I be on the lookout for?

Two other common types of skin growths are moles and keratosis.

Moles

Moles are clusters of heavily pigmented skin cells, either flat or raised above the skin surface. Most are harmless; some may develop into malignant melanoma.

Keratosis

Solar or actinic keratoses are rough, red or brown, scaly patches on the skin that usually form on areas exposed to the sun. While only 10% of actinic keratoses progress to become squamous cell cancer, the majority of squamous cell carcinomas develop from actinic keratoses, so it’s essential to have these skin patches examined regularly.

How is skin cancer diagnosed and treated?

At Dermatology Consultants of Gloucester, Dr. Gardner diagnoses skin cancer with a biopsy, in which all or part of the growth is removed and examined under a microscope. Treatment depends on the type of cancer, its stage of growth, and its location on your body.

Dr. Gardner specializes in treating all forms of skin cancer and offers the most advanced treatments, including Mohs micrographic surgery. Dr. Gardner helps you select the most appropriate treatment for your particular skin cancer depending on its size, location, and potential for recurrence or spread. The most common skin cancer treatment options are:

Curettage

Malignant tissue is scraped from healthy tissue with a sharp instrument called a curette, a process that’s effective for small, superficial, and previously untreated skin cancer.

Surgical excision

The skin cancer is excised in an elliptical fashion and closed with stitches. The specimen is sent to the laboratory to check margins to be sure all the cancer was removed.

Topical treatment

Chemotherapy and immune response modifiers can be applied topically to non-dangerous cancers to stop cancer growth or stimulate the immune system to attack the cancerous cells.

Mohs micrographic surgery

The most precise method for treating skin cancer, Mohs offers the highest cure rate while removing the least amount of tissue and causing minimal scarring. It is a very popular option for skin cancer on the face.

Superficial radiation therapy

This is a non-surgical treatment for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas (non-melanoma skin cancers). It offers an option for some patients when surgical intervention is declined, unadvisable, or potentially associated with significant cosmetic or functional limitations.

Wide excision

Used for some melanomas, which have a higher chance of spreading, so an additional margin of surrounding skin is removed depending on the depth of invasion.

Contact Dermatology Consultants of Gloucester today to schedule a skin cancer check-up. You can book your appointment online or over the phone.