Skin cancer is a common condition that is primarily caused by excessive exposure to sunlight. If you live in Orlando, Florida, you are exposed to bright ultraviolet rays throughout the year rather than only during the summer. It is essential to use lotions, creams or makeup products to protect your skin from sunburn damage that can lead to skin cancer. More individuals are developing skin cancer because they forgot to protect their skin at a younger age, but it is possible to survive this problem. First, you should check your skin at least once a month to notice any changes that can indicate that you have cancer. This inspection may include using a mirror to look at difficult to see areas of your body. You can also visit a dermatologist for a professional skin mapping procedure to keep track of particular problems with your skin, including moles. Skin moles are often damaged by the sun, leading to changes in the size, shape or color of a mole. Having a mole that disappears on its own is also dangerous because the skin cells may have entered the body to cause cancer. If you are observant, you may notice a problem with your skin right away. Additional signs of skin cancer might include having itchy skin or skin that bleeds. When you notice a problem with your skin, visit a dermatologist for an evaluation that may include collecting skin cells for a biopsy or collecting X-rays. Early skin cancer treatment is the best way to avoid serious health issues, and it can also save your life.
Squamous Cell and Basal Cell Skin Cancer
There are several types of skin cancer that have different signs and that require different treatments. Understanding the type of skin cancer that you have is imperative before you begin any type of skin cancer treatment or have surgery to remove the diseased tissue. Here are the different types of skin cancer:
• Squamous cell cancer
• Basal skin cancer
• Melanoma
Each type has a different appearance, and it occurs in different layers of the skin’s tissues. Squamous cell cancer can occur on the outer surface of the skin, but it can also spread to the interior tissues of the body. The most common areas to see this skin cancer are the neck, face, and head, but it can occur on other areas of the body that were exposed to too much sunlight for several years. This is the most common type of cancer that occurs on the head, neck and face. It can spread into the internal parts of the face or head, including the mouth, nose or sinus cavity. A dermatologist will determine how large the cancer is, including its depth into the interior areas of the body. It is vital to have the tumor or skin cancer lesions removed with surgery right away, and a surgeon often performs this procedure with small scalpels or cool lasers. The excised tissue is examined to determine if you need additional treatment with chemotherapy or radiology. With a biopsy, it is possible to determine what stage the cancer is in so that we can plan your treatment right away to improve your survival rate. Basal skin cancer looks like a brown spot or a waxy lump, and it often occurs on the face and neck. The nose, upper lip, forehead, and ears are common places where you can find this type of skin cancer. If you have pale skin, then you are more likely to develop this type of skin cancer. Early treatment for basal skin cancer can include the application of prescription creams, but a dermatologist can also remove these growths quickly with surgery. Basal cell carcinoma is typically on the surface of the skin, making it the easiest type of skin cancer to remove and treat.
A professional in Orlando can remove the cancerous growth with a laser. If the basal cancer covers a larger area of the skin, a surgeon may recommend treatment with radiation or chemotherapy. An individual who has this type of cancer is more likely to develop the condition on a different area of the body later.
Treatment for Melanoma
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, and it occurs in the skin cells that contain your skin’s pigments. Each year, approximately 9,000 individuals in the United States die from this condition, but approximately 70,000 individuals are diagnosed with this skin cancer. If you have melanoma, then it appears as a dark discoloration on the skin. This type of skin cancer spreads quickly by attacking the lymph nodes, leading to cancerous cells in other areas of the body. If you believe that you have melanoma, then you must visit a dermatologist immediately for an examination to remove the diseased tissue and nearby lymph nodes. Melanomas tend to begin on the back or the legs rather than on the face. These cancerous growths are often itchy and may bleed. If you have a mole, then it can change to a melanoma. Treatment begins with removing the melanomas before starting a regimen of chemotherapy or radiation. There are also new skin cancer treatment involving medications that stimulate the body’s immune responses to fight the cancerous tumors.
Get In Touch with Us for More Information
To learn more about skin cancer treatment, please feel free to reach out and make an appointment with Orlando Dermatology. At our convenient location in Orlando, FL, our caring and devoted team of professionals will be pleased to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to set up your consultation.