Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignancy in humans. It usually occurs on sun-exposed skin in patients with a history of chronic sun exposure. These skin cancers are typically slow-growing and rarely spread to other areas of the body. If neglected, BCC can be locally invasive and disfiguring. BCC usually presents as a non-healing waxy sore with a pearly appearance. Bleeding and erosion are fairly common, as are fine blood vessels (telangiectasia) on the surface of the lesion.

Treatment usually consists of surgical removal in our office. Most lesions are treated with simple surgical excision. Mohs surgery is an advanced technique used at Dermatology Associates, PA for the microscopically controlled removal of aggressive or difficult lesions. Topical immunotherapy with Imiquimod (Aldara) can be used for superficial lesions.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) of the skin is the second most common form of skin cancer. SCC is much more common in areas with a high level of lifetime sun exposure. Aggressive forms of SCC can metastasize (spread) to other areas of the body. Most SCC arise from pre-cancerous lesions called actinic keratoses. These lesions are common on sun-exposed skin in fair-skinned individuals. Treatment of actinic keratoses with liquid nitrogen can prevent progression to SCC. SCC usually presents as a non-healing crusty patch or nodule that is painful.

Treatment consists of surgical removal in most cases. Nearly all cases can be treated on-site.

Malignant Melanoma is the least common of skin cancers, but the most feared because of its potential to spread to other areas of the body. Melanoma accounts for only 4% of all skin cancers; however, it causes the greatest number of deaths from skin cancer.

Melanoma can arise from a pre-existing mole, or can arise on normal appearing skin. Intense, intermittent sun exposure has been linked to the development of melanoma. Fair complexion, a history of blistering sunburns, a family history of melanoma and a large number of moles are other risk factors for melanoma. The current lifetime risk for developing melanoma is a startling one case per 65 Americans and this number continues to rise. It is important to recognize the early warning signs of melanoma. One successful method is the use of the ABCDE criteria:

A = Asymmetrical Shape
B = Border Irregularity
C = Color Variation / Uneven Color Distribution
D = Diameter
E = Evolution / Changes

The most common early symptom of melanoma is itching. Melanoma is easily cured by surgical excision if it is detected early. Prognosis is closely related to the microscopic thickness of the melanoma at the time that it is removed. Melanomas that have spread to other body areas remain very difficult to treat.