Skin Cancer Detection & Skin Cancer Treatment
Good versus Bad Dermatologist
A "competent" Dermatologist looks at a lesion and is fairly certain that it is cancer.
A good and honest Dermatologist takes a biopsy of a suspicious lesion and 50% or more of the time, it is cancer. Sometimes patients will state that they don't like me because I always take biopsies. If a Dermatologist takes biopsies frequently and they usually prove to be cancerous, they are doing their job!
A "bad" or dishonest Dermatologist takes biopsies that nearly always prove to be benign. This is not a "thorough" Dermatologist as these are unnecessary biopsies. This is someone that I would not want to be my Dermatologist.
If you are searching ‘a reliable skin cancer treatment near me,’ look no further as RSB dermatology is here to help you.
How Skin Cancer is Diagnosed
The diagnosis of skin cancer is most often visual--Dr. Bader will look at the lesion and make a determination whether or not it is malignant. When a cancer is suspected, a skin biopsy is taken, sent to a laboratory, and evaluated under the microscope. A definitive diagnosis will be given based on that examination.
Skin Cancer Screenings & Why You Should Get It
It is well known that skin cancer screenings should be a part of most people's general care. Most cancers that are treated in my office (approximately 70%) are found during these screenings--not during routine physical examinations, not by patients, not by any other physician.
These screenings are a VISUAL inspection. It is recommended that one get completely undressed and examined from head to toe. There is no substitute for this type of screening. Looking for skin cancer treatment near you? RSB is here to help!
Basal Cell Carcinoma
This is the most common skin cancer and is not life threatening in nearly every case, unless left untreated for many, many years. There are several different subtypes of basal cell carcinoma that are based on characteristics seen under the microscope (pathology). Both surgical and non-surgical treatment options exist. One must take into account the location of the tumor, the histological subtype, and the size of the tumor when considering different treatment options.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This tumor is caused by the sun when on sun-exposed skin. On other areas, human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes warts, is often the cause. This tumor may be non-invasive (squamous cell carcinoma in situ, intraepithelial squamous cell carcinoma, intraepithelial squamous cell carcinoma) at which stage it does not spread. Invasive tumors (superficial squamous cell carcinoma, invasive squamous cell carcinoma) does have the capacity to spread to the lymph nodes and other organs. In general, the risk of spread is approximately 3% except when tumors appear on the lip or ear, in which case the risk is significantly higher (up to 15%).
Both surgical and non-surgical treatments exist. Treatment options will vary based on whether the tumor is invasive or not, the location of the tumor, the size of the tumor, and the depth of the tumor.
Malignant Melanoma
This is the third most common form of skin cancer. In most cases, these present as a irregularly shaped, pigmented lesion with irregular borders. Some types of melanoma may have no pigment and may be regular in shape. Many patients will report increasing size.
If a lesion is suspicious, Dr. Bader will take a biopsy and will discuss treatment options with you.
For all invasive melanomas, surgical treatment (excision or Mohs) is recommended. For non-invasive tumors (lentigo maligna or melanoma in situ), surgical removal (excision or Mohs) is the treatment of choice, although elderly or patients whom are not surgical candidates may consider imiquimod topical cream.