Monday - Friday: 8AM - 5PM
Saturday: 8AM - 12PM
Westerville Office
300 Polaris Parkway Ste 3300 Westerville, OH 43082
Phone: (614) 898-7546
Fax: (614) 794-4294
Map & Directions
Wedgewood Office
10330 Sawmill Pkwy, Ste 400
Powell, OH 43065
Phone: (614) 898-7546
Fax: (614) 794-4294
Map & Directions
Upper Arlington Office
3380 Tremont Rd.
Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Phone: (614) 898-7546
Fax: (614) 794-4294
Map & Directions
Circleville Office
Noecker Building @
Berger Hospital
600 N Pickaway St #1
Circleville, OH 43113
Phone: (740) 420-0014
Fax: (740) 477-8034
Map & Directions
Skin cancer is the most common type of all cancers. Over 1 million people will develop skin cancer this year. Fair-skinned people who sunburn easily are at a risk for deveolping skin cancer. Other less important factors include repeated medical and industrial x-ray exposure, scarring from diseases or burns, occupational exposure to compounds such as coal tar and arsenic, and family history. You can do your part to prevent skin cancer by performing monthly self skin exams, seeing your dermatologist at least yearly and wearing sun screen every day.
There are 3 types of skin cancers most commonly seen including Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Malignant Melanoma.
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Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. The appearance of a Basal Cell is usually a small, fleshy bump, nodule or red scaly patch which can o ften bleed easily. This type of skin cancer is most often found in sun exposed areas such as the head, neck and hands. Basal Cell Carinomas are frequently found in fair-skinned people and rarely occur in dark skin. Basal cells typically grow slowly and will develop into non healing sores. It can take many months or years for one to grow to a diameter of one-half inch. If left untreated the area will become larger and deeper and often begin to bleed, crust over, heal, and repeat the cycle. It can eventually extend below the skin to bones and nerves causing considerable local damage. |
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Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer. More than 250,000 new squamous cell carcinomas are diagnosed every year in the United States. This skin cancer often presents with the same appearance as a Basal Cell Carcinoma and primarily affects middle-aged and elderly fair-skinned people and rarely in dark-skinned individuals. This skin cancer can be found anywhere on the body but it is typically found on the rim of the ear, face, lips and mouth. This cancer can appear as a bump or a red, scaly patch and develops in the outer layer of the skin (the epithelium). Some squamous cell carcinomas arise from small sandpaper-like lesions called solar (sun) or actinic keratosis. Squamous Cell Carcinomas can deveop into large masses and become invasive. If left untreated this skin cancer can metastasize to other areas and potentially be fatal. When found and treated early, the cure rate for Squamous Cell Carcinoma is over 95%. |
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Malignant Melanoma is a potentially fatal type of skin cancer. Each year, an estimated 8,000 Americans will die from Melanoma and it is projected that more than 108,000 Americans will develope Melanoma annually. This type of skin cancer can occur anywhere on the body. It is a pigmented form of skin cancer. It begins in melanocytes, the skin cells that produce the dark protective pigment called melanin which makes the skin tan. Since melanoma cells usually continue to produce melanin, the cancer appears in mixed shades of tan, brown, and black; although it can also be red or white. This cancer can appear as a red, white, blue, black, or dark brown lesion. It can appear from a mole or on previously normal skin. Melanoma may appear suddenly or begin in or near a mole, or another dark spot in the skin. It is important to know the location and appearance of the moles on the body to detect changes early. Any changing mole must be examined by a dermatologist. Early melanoma can be removed while still in the curable stage. This type of skin cancer can quickly metastasize to other parts of the body and should be diagnosed and treated immediately. Excessive sun exposure, especially sunburn, is the most important preventable cause of melanoma. Light-skinned individuals are at particular risk. Heredity also plays a part. A person has an increased chance of developing melanoma if a relative or close family member has had melanoma. Atypical moles, which may run in families, and having a large number of moles, can serve as markers for people at increased risk for developing melanoma. Dark skin is not a guarantee against melanoma. People with skin of color can develop melanoma, especially on the palms, soles, under the nails, in the mouth, or on the genitalia. |
WARNING SIGNS OF MELANOMA INCLUDE:
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Changes in the surface of a mole.
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Scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or the appearance of a new bump.
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Spread of pigment from the border of a mole into surrounding skin.
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Change in sensation including itchiness, tenderness, or pain.
THE ABCDs OF MELANOMA
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A - ASYMMETRY | |
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One half does not match the other half in size, shape, color or thickness. | |
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B - BORDER IRREGULARITY | |
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The edges are ragged, scalloped, or poorly defined. | |
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C - Color | |
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The pigmentation is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown and black are present. Dashes of red, white and blue add to the mottled appearance. | |
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D - Diameter | |
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While melanomas are usually greater than 6mm in diameter (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller. If you notice a mole different from others, or which changes, itches, or bleeds (even if it is small) you should see a dermatologist. | |
Treatment of Skin Cancer
If a skin biopsy reveals cancer, the dermatologist has an array of medical and surgical procedures as treatment, depending upon the type of cancer, its location and the needs of the individual.
Dermatologic surgical treatments include: surgical excision; electrodessication and curettage (ED&C), which involves alternately scraping or burning the tumor in combination with low levels of electricity; cryosurgery (freezing using liquid nitrogen); and laser surgery. Mohs micrographic surgery is a special procedure used to remove the whole tumor while sparing as much normal skin as possible.
Other dermatologic treatments include radiation therapy and photodynamic therapy (a chemical is applied to the skin prior to exposure to a light source). Topical chemotherapy products may also be used.
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Mohs surgery is a specialized type of surgery for the treatment of skin cancer. This surgery is most useful in areas which are considered cosmetically sensitive. The procedure is done in stages with small sections of the diseased tissue being removed to promote tissue conservation and minimize the size of the defect.
