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Skin cancer is the uncontrolled overgrowth of abnormal skin cells caused by unrepaired DNA damage triggering a mutation causing skin cells to multiply quickly, forming cancer cells. Skin cancers, especially when caught early, can be treatable.
What is it?
The skin is the human body's most extensive organ, made up of multiple layers. Skin cancer starts in the epidermis, which is built up of squamous cells (top layer), and it can subsequently penetrate the basal cells (beneath squamous cells) and melanocytes (pigment cells).
Skin cancer can afflict anyone and can develop anywhere on the body, especially on skin regions that have been excessively exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun, tanning beds, and sun lamps. Dermatology Partners excels in treating skin cancer across all skin hues and varieties.
It's important to monitor any new or emerging spots or bumps on your skin that differ in form, color, size, or sensation. If there are any spots or bumps on your skin that itch, bleed, crust, or ooze, or if you observe any unusual or suspect marks on your skin, please contact us to schedule an appointment for further assessment. After all, it's your skin, and it's your duty to safeguard it.
Besides your annual skin examination with a board-certified provider , you can conduct regular self-examinations using the ABCDE technique. Consult a dermatologist promptly if a spot or mole exhibits:
A - Asymmetrical shape
B - Borders that are irregular
C - Colors that vary from one area to another
D - Diameter larger than a pencil eraser
E - Evolved its size, shape, or color from a previous exam
You can reduce your chance of developing skin cancer by limiting your sun exposure and shielding your skin from UV rays. And while we acknowledge that sunbathing can be enjoyable, it can also be damaging. Sun damage can accumulate throughout the year in Northern Ohio - even during the winter cold. Make sure to use SPF 30+ sunscreen and restrict your time under those harmful rays.
How is it treated?
We will conduct an examination of the affected skin area to determine if you have skin cancer. If the area seems potentially cancerous, we will proceed with excising a sample for additional testing. This procedure, known as a skin biopsy, enables us to dispatch your tissue sample to our onsite medical lab. Our lab holds full accreditation from the College of American Pathologists, signifying that it adheres to the most stringent standards for quality and precision.
Our lab will utilize microscopic diagnosis to establish whether your tissue is benign (normal, non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). If the diagnosis is cancer, our adept skin cancer specialists will identify the specific type of cancer and devise a personalized treatment scheme. Our dermatology clinic can diagnose and treat all varieties of skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP), and sebaceous cell carcinoma.
Our cancer treatment team possesses specialized training and certification in an array of skin cancer treatments. These include surgical excision, Mohs surgery, immunotherapy, targeted drug therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. As part of the DOCS Dermatology Group, our medical practice also has access to the latest clinical trials for cancers that are less responsive to conventional treatment methods.
Never forget: Early detection plays a pivotal role in the treatment plan. When you need diagnosis or treatment, we are here to help at our convenient offices in Avon, Sandusky, Broadview Heights, Medina, Port Clinton and Strongsville, Ohio,