Getting Help With A Skin Condition

Posted on: 17 March 2018

Did you know that skin cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in the country? In fact, according to the most recent statistics, approximately 9,500 people in the United States get diagnosed with a type of skin cancer every day. One of the best things you can due to prevent this common and sometimes deadly cancer is to arm yourself with knowledge.

Here are four types of skin cancer and common treatment options for each.

Actinic Keratoses (AK)

If you get diagnosed with AK, you do not have full-blown skin cancer. However, you do have precancerous growths that could turn into cancer. These growths commonly grow on parts of the body that get a lot of sun exposure, including the arms, hands, and neck.

AK involves regular checkups with a dermatologist, and treatment usually consists of removing the growths with certain surgical procedures. Other types of treatment may include topical treatments and Photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

Known as the most common type of skin cancer, BCC usually happens when the skin is frequently exposed to the damaging rays of the sun after extended periods of time. People who frequently use tanning booths are also at risk for this type of skin cancer. While it can occur more commonly on the arms, neck, and head, it can also form on other parts of the body, such as the legs and chest.

Treatment options normally consist of Mohs surgery, radiation, cryosurgery or laser surgery.

Squamos Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Also caused by frequent exposure to the sun, SCC grows deep into the skin causing damage, and sometimes even disfigurement. It usually affects the ears, face, neck, and back. Without early diagnosis and subsequent treatment, this type of skin cancer can spread to other parts of the body.

Treatment options for SCC include certain surgical procedures, such as Mohs surgery and excision. Radiation therapy is also sometimes used, especially where larger parts of the body are affected. Advanced SCC often requires lymph node dissection and systemic chemotherapy.

Melanoma

This deadly form of skin cancer and is expected to kill approximately 9,300 people in the United States in the year 2018. Melanoma usually begins growing in or around a mole or it can appear as a newly formed dark spot on the skin. In order to identify melanoma, dermatologists recommend paying attention to changing moles or dark spots by using the ABCDE method:

• Assymetry
• Border
• Color
• Diameter
• Evolving

Treatment options for melanoma include surgery, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Visit a site like http://www.eastcarolinadermatology.com for more help.