SKIN CANCERS
With over 5 million cases diagnosed in the United States each year, skin cancer is America’s most common cancer. It is, however, one of the most preventable cancers as well. 1/5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. More than 2 people die of skin cancer in the US every hour. Having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma. But, fortunately, when detected early, the 5 year survival rate for melanoma is 99 percent.
BASAL CELL CARCINOMA (BCC)
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer and the most frequently occurring form of all cancers. In the U.S. alone, an estimated 3.6 million cases are diagnosed each year. BCCs arise from abnormal, uncontrolled growth of basal cell layer of keratinocytes within the epidermis. Because BCCs grow slowly, most are curable and cause minimal damage when caught and treated early. BCCs can look like open sores, red patches, pink growths, shiny bumps, scars or growths with slightly elevated, rolled edges and/or a central indentation. At times, BCCs may ooze, crust, itch or bleed. The lesions commonly arise in sun-exposed areas of the body. In patients with darker skin, about half of BCCs are pigmented (meaning brown in color). While BCCs rarely spread beyond the original tumor site, if allowed to grow, these lesions can be disfiguring and dangerous. Untreated BCCs can become locally invasive, grow wide and deep into the skin and destroy skin, tissue and bone. The longer you wait to have a BCC treated, the more likely it is to recur, sometimes repeatedly.
SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA (SCC)
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin is the second most common form of skin cancer, characterized by abnormal, accelerated growth of squamous cells. When caught early, most SCCs are curable. SCC occurs when DNA damage from exposure to ultraviolet radiation or other damaging agents trigger abnormal changes in the squamous cells. SCCs can appear as scaly red patches, open sores, rough, thickened or wart-like skin, or raised growths with a central depression. At times, SCCs may crust over, itch or bleed. The lesions most commonly arise in sun-exposed areas of the body. While the majority of SCCs can be easily and successfully treated, if allowed to grow, these lesions can become disfiguring, dangerous and even deadly. Untreated SCCs can become invasive, grow into deeper layers of skin and spread to other parts of the body. An estimated 1.8 million cases of SCC are diagnosed each year, which translates to about 205 cases diagnosed every hour.
MELANOMA
There is a clear correlation between unprotected exposure to UV radiation and melanoma. UV rays from the sun and indoor tanning are a powerful attack on the skin and the primary risk factor for developing melanoma and other skin cancers. Frequent severe sunburns in early childhood can especially increase melanoma risk, but sunburns later in life and cumulative exposure also play an important role. Moles, the small brown “beauty marks” that arise on the skin throughout life are not dangerous, but people with many moles are at increased risk for developing melanoma. While most melanomas develop in normal skin and it’s less common for melanoma to develop in an existing mole, it does happen. About 20-30 percent of melanomas arise from existing moles. Because melanoma can develop in a mole or can develop in normal skin, it is important to see your dermatologist if you see a new or changing mole.
MOLES
Moles / Melanocytic Nevi or “beauty marks” can be either congenital (present at or near birth) or acquired (and appear during childhood or adulthood.) There are many types of normal or being moles, including compound, intradermal, junctional, congential, or blue nevi. Atypical nevi are not ordinary moles; they are generally larger, with irregular or indistinct borders and variations of color within the mole, ranging in color from pink to dark brown. The vast majority of atypical nevi do not become melanomas, but having atypical nevi is a risk factor for melanoma. If you have many moles or a history of atypical nevi biopsied before, it’s important to see a dermatologist for regular skin check.
ACNE AND ROSACEA
Acne and rosacea are folliculocentric inflammatory conditions that can be caused by genetics, hormones, bacteria, and diet. Although we don't yet have a cure, there a myriad of treatment options ranging from prescription creams, pills, chemical peels, and energy based devices that can help reduce acne.
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Warts and molluscum
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Cysts and other abnormal tumors of the skin
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Rashes and hives
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Eczema and psoriasis
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Herpes, HPV, and other STI’s
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Skin findings associated with internal diseases
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Birthmarks
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Skin infections caused by bacteria, fungus, yeast, and other organisms
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Hair loss
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Abnormal nails
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Discolorations of the skin
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Skin changes associated with aging
