Skin Cancer

The different types of skin cancer appear differently on the body. Any skin lesion that is changing, bleeding, not healing, or new warrants evaluation by a dermatologist. Routine in-office skin exams establish a baseline from which comparisons can be made. Dr. Naga and Dr. Keaney use a specialized tool called a dermatoscope that enables them to look deep into the skin to aid them in the evaluation of particular skin lesions for the earliest possible detection of pre-cancers and skin cancers.

• Basal cell carcinomas are usually pink and pearly or scar-like in texture.
• Squamous cell carcinomas are often pink, scaly or crusted lesions that are prone to bleeding easily.
• Melanomas are usually brown, black, grey or blue spots that can have an asymmetric shape, irregular border, uneven color, or large diameter. Approximately one third of melanomas arise from pre-existing moles, which is why it is important to monitor moles for changes from their baseline.

Depending on the type of skin cancer diagnosed, the treatment may involve surgical excision, a scrape-and-burn technique called electrodessication and curettage, certain topical medications or a specialized surgical procedure called Mohs surgery.