Skin Cancer & Dermatology Experts
Skin cancer is a term for a variety of growths on the skin. Other terms are skin tumor and skin malignancy.
Yes. The most common type of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma (sometimes referred to as basal cell epithelioma). Approximately 1,000,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in this country. Another common skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. The third most common skin cancer is malignant melanoma.
No. Each type of skin cancer arises from a different type of skin cell.
The two most common types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are rarely life threatening. These tumors replace normal surrounding tissue and generally do not spread to other areas. The third most common skin cancer, malignant melanoma, can be life threatening if treated late. When discovered and treated early, malignant melanoma is curable. Basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas never “turn into” malignant melanoma
While skin cancers usually appear on skin that has been chronically exposed to the sun (like the head, neck, arms, and chest), you can get skin cancer anywhere - even on skin that has rarely or "never" been exposed to the sun (for example, the genitals).
There are several effective treatments for these tumors. Therapies such as freezing with liquid nitrogen, burning with electric current, surgery and radiation therapy are successful. However for tumors that have recurred following treatment or for tumors in difficult-to-treat sites, a technique of skin cancer treatment known as Mohs surgery offers the best chance for total removal.
Studies have shown that once you develop a skin cancer, there is an increased risk of developing others in the years ahead.
For this reason, it is important for you to continue seeing your primary Dermatologist at regularly scheduled intervals, and to schedule an appointment if you are concerned about new or changing growths on your skin. You can reduce your risk of developing more skin cancers by protecting your skin from further sun damage, but continued vigilance on your part is required (along with scheduled visits to your Dermatologist) to help detect further skin cancers at an early stage.
The best protection from skin cancer is to avoid the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Even if you tan easily, the sun can contribute to skin cancer in two ways. First, the sunlight damages the genes that control cell growth, and second sunlight damages the body's immune system so that early cancers grow unchecked by normal immune defense.
