Questions:
What is skin cancer?
How is skin cancer treated?


What is skin cancer?
There are three common types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type and the least serious. Malignant melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. Skin cancer may appear as an enlarging growth, a sore which bleeds or will not heal, or a changing mole. Skin cancers may be flesh toned, red, brown, black, or blue. They may be smooth, scaly, scabbed, or ulcerated. They can be flat or raised, itchy or asymptomatic. If you have any suspicious lesions, please see your dermatologist.

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How is skin cancer treated?
Treatment of skin cancer depends on the type of cancer. Malignant melanoma is always treated by surgical excision. Squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma are frequently treated by surgical excision. A special type of treatment is called Mohs skin cancer surgery. In Mohs surgey, the tumor is checked by frozen section to be sure all the tumor is removed before closing the incision. Other treatments for basal cell carcinoma include curettage and desiccation (scraping and burning).