Have you noticed any changes in your skin lately? Are you seeing irregularly shaped moles forming on your arms and legs? If you are experiencing an increase in moles or skin-type issues, you should contact your dermatologist to be evaluated for skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in humans. In most cases it is highly curable, but it must be caught and treated quickly.
Skin cancer comes in different forms. The way your skin cancer is treated depends on the form of skin cancer you have. The most common is basal cell carcinoma. This is a very slow-growing cancer that is usually localized to one area of the skin. It presents as a pink or white area that may form an ulcer or bleed. It is a more easily treated type of cancer. The next type of skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. This grows quickly and can spread to other parts of the body. The skin presents as red and scaly. The third type of skin cancer is melanoma. This is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. It can be present in an already existing mole or may be present in a new mole. It can be cured by surgery alone, but in cases where the melanoma has penetrated the lower layers of the skin, it is more difficult to treat as it may have spread.
Skin cancer treatment in Bradenton, FL. provides several options to treat your skin cancer. The first goal in treatment is to completely remove the skin cancer. This can be done using several methods, though the method used is determined by the type of skin cancer you have. One method involves cryotherapy or freezing the offending area off your skin. Another method is surgical removal of the cancer. A method that involves using light therapy is highly effective in treating skin cancer that hasn’t penetrated the lower layers of the skin. This method is referred to as photodynamic therapy and uses a drug with a specific light that kills cancer cells. For skin cancer that has penetrated the deeper layers of the skin, you may have to go through radiation therapy to kill any rogue cancer cells.
If you suspect that you may have skin cancer, contact a dermatologist at My Dermatology & Cosmetic Center and seek out skin cancer treatment in Bradenton, FL.