Skin cancer can manifest anywhere on your body. It is most likely to occur on skin that has had exposure to sunlight. The most common areas are the face, neck, hands, and arms. Skin cancer is divided up into three main different types; Basal Cell Carcinomas, Squamous Cell Carcinomas, and Melanomas. Every year over 1.3 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer. If you have a history of skin cancer in your family, you should visit a dermatologist yearly for an annual body exam. Our skin cancer experts are located in Bergen County, NJ, Queens, NY, Long Island, NY and other locations.

Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common type out of the three skin cancers. They originate from the deepest part of your epidermis (i.e. basal layer) and usually occur from over extended sun exposure, or repeated cases of sunburn. They can usually be easily treated and are usually not life threatening.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma is another kind of skin cancer. These show up on your top layer of skin and are commonly mistaken for sores. They might appear as sores on your skin, but ones that does not go away. They can be caused from overexposure of the sun and while usually not life threatening do kill about 3,000 a year.

Melanoma is a life threatening skin cancer. It usually starts in the melonomyte layer of skin but they can in rare advanced stages even affect your organs. About 8,000 people die each year in the U.S. from Melanoma. If caught early it can be treated and cured. You should do self examinations of your own body for any irregularities that might be a precursor to melanoma. Follow the ABCDE rule (Asymmetry, Border Irregularity, Color, Diameter, and Evolving characteristics) usually found with moles to detect if anything seems out of place.

Discovering Pre-Cancer

Skin Cancer may be discovered early on while still a benign precancer. One pre-cancer is known as Actinic keratosis. This shows up as scaly, crusty, small bumps that can be found on or underneath the skin. Tumors, lesions, and odd discolored skin can be indicators of pre-cancer and you should be on the lookout for these warning signs.

The reason pre-cancer is important to find and treat is that in these areas though harmless now may turn into skin cancer, even malignant skin cancer. These areas are able to be seen and felt and are noticeable.

Statistics

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) estimates that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their life. About 75% of skin cancer death occurs from melanoma.

How We Can Help You

We believe in empowering our patients with the tools they need to overcome cancer. We will develop a personal and individualized cancer treatment program that will be the most effective for your specific case. Our expert dermatologists have the experience, expertise and knowledge to effectively treat malignant and non-malignant skin cancers. In addition we offer yearly free skin cancer screenings at designated locations. There are several treatments that can be used for skin cancer. They are: Freezing, X-ray, Scraping, Excising, Laser, and MOH’s, where MOH’s is the most effective method. Our offices across Queens, NY, Bergen County,NJ and more will help you diagnosis to see if you have any symptoms.

Freezing – Also called cryosurgery. This procedure utilizes intense cold using liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -50°C or (-58°F) to freeze off the skin cancer lesion. If you have a bleeding disorder, or if you do not want a different procedure freezing might be for you. Although it is more likely to reoccur and become a problem.

X-ray – Also called Radiotherapy or radiation therapy. This type of treatment directs a dose of radiation at the target area. The radiation energy emitted, damages and destroys the cancer cells. The radiation does not distinguish between healthy or harmful cells, but destroys them all. This is sometimes uses to remove internal cancers. Most patients don’t like this therapy as it can take 20 to 30 treatments.

Scraping – Also called curettage. This process involves using a spoon shaped tool to scrape away the skin removing the cancer cells. The scraped skin may bleed and is many times used with electrosurgery in order to control any bleeding that might occur. This procedure is only for separated cancer.

Excision – This is a small minor surgery. During this procedure, the area of skin cancer is cut out, along with a margin of healthy skin surrounding it. This margin area is then examined to see if all of the skin cancer has been removed. After an excision, stitches may be needed to close it up.

Laser – Laser therapy uses lasers on the target area and focuses a beam of light to remove the skin cancer. Laser therapy is mainly used to treat cancer on the surface of the skin, and for some internal organs. This procedure can not tell if the cancer is completely out.

MOH’s – This is called micrographic surgery. It is the most effective method to remove skin cancer. MOH’s surgery is a process where each layer of the cancer is removed and examined then to see if it was all removed. It is commonly used for sensitive areas such as the face. (Click here for more info on MOH’s)