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DERMATLANTA.COM > Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer Treatment at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, “Skin cancer is the most prevalent of all types of cancers. It is estimated that more than one million Americans develop skin cancer every year.” The sooner preventative measures are taken; the better your chances are it won’t spread. With that in mind, we offer a wide range of skin cancer treatments to eliminate this disease. Mole removal with cryosurgery,photodynamic therapy, lasers, and medications are just some of the alternatives available to treat skin cancers and pre-cancers. Please contact our office for your annual skin cancer body check or to discuss treatment of any skin condition.
Recognizing the Different Types of Skin Cancer:
Skin cancer is not reserved just for those who spend weeks in tanning salons. In fact, many types of skin cancers develop as a result of cumulative sun exposure. Even those times when you were barely sun burned can be damaging. The three most common types of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
Named to reflect the layer of the dermis and types of skin cells they affect, the carcinomas are easily treatable and rarely advance into a state dangerous to your health. Melanoma, however, should be taken care of immediately because once it spreads it could lead to serious complications. Skin biopsies, such as mole removal, are the only way to truly diagnose a potentially cancerous portion of your skin. To prevent you from undergoing multiple skin biopsies, a few telltale signs of the common skin cancers should be considered.
Skin Cancer Types and Skin Cancer Symptoms
Basal Cell Carcinoma: Lookout for raised, smooth, pearly bumps around the head, neck, or shoulder areas. It often resembles a sore, but fails to heal.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Look for red, scaling, thickening patches of skin in sun-exposed areas.
Melanoma: Melanoma appears as dark, either brown or black, lesions. Be observant of any moles changing size, shape, elevation, or color.
Preventing Skin Cancer
Most skin cancer develops as a result of uncontrolled replication of damaged skin cells. Typically, the cells’ DNA becomes damaged in response to UV exposure. Therefore, the best way to limit the likelihood that you will develop skin cancer is to prevent sun damage by wearing a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 that protects against sunburn from both UVA and UVB rays.
Additionally, those with fair skin that burn easily should avoid sun exposure whenever possible and cover up with long-sleeved shirts and hats when you have to be outdoors. The second most important skin cancer prevention method is to receive an annual skin cancer body check.
During a skin cancer body check one of DAA’s board-certified dermatologists will scrupulously evaluate sun-exposed areas of skin as well as any areas of concern to look for questionable markings. Because not all skin cancer follows the physical symptoms listed above, it’s important that you do regularly seek skin cancer screenings by a dermatologist who knows what to look for.
Signs of Pre-Cancers that Could Lead to Skin Cancer:
Actinic keratosis, also known as solar keratosis, is a pre-cancerous condition of damaged skin that could eventually lead to sqaumous cell carcinoma. It is marked by thick, scaly patches of skin that can eventually grow to be bumpy, tough, and wart-like. Actinic keratosis is most common in fair skinned people and happens most frequently in sun-exposed areas of the body (face, neck, and forearms). Because actinic keratosis can eventually become cancerous, if you suspect it somewhere on your body, you should see a dermatologist as soon as possible.
Other forms of keratosis include keratosis pilaris often referred to as “chicken skin” or the bumpy texture on hair follicles and seborrheic keratosis, noncancerous skin growths that come with advancing age, can also be treated by our board certified dermatologists.
Skin Cancer Treatments:
Photodynamic Therapy: Photodynamic therapy or (PDT) uses an injection of a photosynthesizer that, combined with the right kind of laser light, destroys cancerous tissue. The photosynthesizer stays in the cancerous cells longer than healthy body cells, thus when the photosynthesizing agent has left normal body cells, the cancerous basal or squamous cells are destroyed.
Topical Chemotherapy: Topical chemotherapy usually comes in the form of a cream or lotion that is placed directly on the skin one or two times a day for several weeks. For basal cell carcinomas affecting only the top layer of skin, a prescription drug called imiquimod is recommended. For treating more severe basal cell carcinomas and sqaumous cell carcinoma, a drug called fluorouracil (5-FU) is often used.
Cryosurgery: Cryosurgery uses liquid nitrogen and the extreme cold it produces to destroy abnormal tissue and skin lesions. Cryosurgery is applied directly on the skin and is used to treat basal cell carcinoma and sqaumous cell carcinoma. Cryosurgery is also effective in the treatment of pre-cancerous skin growths like actinic keratosis.
Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery: Mohs surgery is the most technically advanced treatment for skin cancer and is effective in the treatment of melanoma. In Mohs surgery, physicians remove the lesion layer by layer. This accurate, micrographically controlled procedure is meant to completely remove the cancerous tissue without harming the surrounding tissue. Mohs surgery is the most precise and effective method for removing problem areas and is especially effective for removing tissue on sensitive areas, like the face, with little chance of regrowth and disfigurement. Mohs surgery is performed by our board certified dermatologists Dr. Edmond Griffin, Dr. Scott Karempelis, Dr. Stephen Kraus, Dr. Joseph Payne, and Dr. Ashley Curtis in Dermatology Associates of Atlanta’s on-site, AAAHC accredited surgical suite.
Laser Treatments: Occasionally there are some laser treatments in the Laser Institute of Georgia that can be used to treat certain types of skin cancer in lieu of cryosurgery. The best treatment plan for each individual patient will be decided by our board certified dermatologists.
Disclaimer: Skin cancer is a very serious condition and should ultimately be diagnosed and confirmed by a board certified dermatologist!