Skin Cancer

diagnosis, treatment, and prevention  

click on a topic     > Diagnosis       > Treatment       > Prevention 

Diagnosis

In the interest of protecting your health, learn how to give your skin a "safety check" - a periodic examination from head to toe. You should note the size and location of any moles or growths. If one of these growths begins to change or grow rapidly, have your dermatologist examine it as soon as possible. Early detection and removal offer the best chance of curing skin cancer. 

There are three major types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Here are some forms these cancers can take:

  • Basal cell carcinomas - are raised, translucent, pearly nodules which may crust, ulcerate, and sometimes bleed. They occur most often on the face and other exposed areas of the body, but can appear in other areas.
  • Squamous cell carcinomas - usually are raised, pink, opaque nodules or patches which frequently ulcerate in the center. They most often appear on exposed areas of the body, but also may appear elsewhere.
  • Malignant melanomas - are usually small brown-black or larger multicolored patches, plaques or nodules with irregular outline. They may crust on the surface or bleed. Many of them may arise in pre-existing moles.


basal cell carcinomas 

squamous cell carcinomas

malignant melanomas 
 
 

Treatment

If a skin growth is suspected of being pre-cancerous or cancerous, your dermatologist will usually perform a skin biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. There are many effective treatment options for skin cancer. These include surgical removal, radiation, and chemotherapeutic options. Your dermatologist will provide an appropriate course of treatment based on several factors - the type and stage of the skin cancer, its location, your age and overall health, etc. If many pre-cancers are present, chemotherapeutic creams may supplement treatment. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with the application of Aminolevulinic  Acid and followed by laser light may be indicated as an additional treatment. Early detection and removal offer the best chance of curing skin cancer.  back to top of page

 

Prevention

Sun avoidance is the best way to reduce your risk of skin cancer. While there are other known risk factors like your heredity,  traumatic scarring from disease or burns, occupational exposure to chemical compounds like arsenic or coal tar, and exposure to x-rays, overexposure to UV radiation (from the sun or tanning beds), specifically when it leads to sunburn and blistering, is currently thought by medical professionals to be the leading cause of skin cancer.

The important thing to remember is to protect your skin from UV light every day, year-round. The following sun safety tips are based on those provided by the American Academy of Dermatology.

sun safety tips

  • Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen (protection from both UVA and UVB rays) with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 every day

  • Don't forget your lips - apply a lip balm with an SPF 15 or greater

  • Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when outdoors, even on a cloudy day

  • Avoid exposure to the sun's rays when they are strongest - between the 10a.m. and 4p.m.

  • On average, children get 3 times more sun exposure than adults. During the summer months, children should wear sunscreens with an SPF 30+

  • Babies 6 months or younger should be kept out of the sun whenever possible

  • Wear protective, tightly woven clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and pants

  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat (4 inches) and sunglasses when outdoors

  • Avoid tanning beds  back to top of page

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Hailey, Brody, Casey & Wray, M.D., P.C.
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Atlanta, Georgia  30327		 phone: 404-525-7409
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