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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—our body's largest organ—comprises several layers. Skin cancer originates in the epidermis (the top layer of skin), which is made up of squamous cells and can subsequently infiltrate the basal cells (located beneath the squamous cells) and melanocytes (the pigment cells). It's important to note that skin cancer can affect anyone, appearing anywhere on the body. It's most common in areas exposed to a lot of sunlight, but it can also develop in places that don't get much sun, like under nails or between toes.
Keep an eye on any emerging or new spots or bumps on your skin that differ in shape, color, size or texture. If there are any spots or bumps on your skin that itch, bleed, crust or ooze, or if you observe any unusual or suspicious marks on your skin, please contact us and schedule an appointment for further assessment. After all, it's your skin, and its protection should be a priority.
In addition to your annual skin examination with a board-certified provider here at Dermatology & Skin Surgery Center, you can conduct regular self-examinations using the ABCDE method. Consult our office immediately if your spot or mole has:
Limiting exposure to the sun and shielding your skin from UV rays can reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. While we understand the allure of the sun, please be aware that it can also be detrimental to your skin.
How is it treated?
Our board-dermatologists will carefully examine the area in question to establish whether you have skin cancer. If any indications of cancer are discovered, we will proceed with extracting a skin specimen for additional analysis. This procedure, known as a skin biopsy, enables us to send your tissue to our in-house lab. Our laboratory is fully accredited by the College of American Pathologists, signifying that it adheres to the highest standards of precision and quality.
A microscopic evaluation in our lab will ascertain if your tissue is benign (normal, non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). If it's cancerous, our experienced dermatologists will diagnose the specific type of cancer and devise a personalized treatment regimen.
We can diagnose and treat many skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, merkel cell carcinoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) and sebaceous cell carcinoma.
Our board-certified dermatologists possess specialized expertise and certification in various skin cancer treatments such as surgical excision, Mohs surgery, immunotherapy, targeted drug therapy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. As part of the broader DOCS Dermatology Group, Dermatology & Skin Surgery Center also has access to pioneering clinical trials for cancers that resist conventional treatment methods. Schedule an appointment today at one of our offices in Adrian, Battle Creek, Dowagiac, Hillsdale, Jackson, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Sturgis, Michigan, or Angola, Elkhart, Goshen and Plymouth, Indiana.
Remember: Early discovery is pivotal for a successful treatment strategy.