Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer today. 500,000 new cases of skin cancer are reported each year in the United States alone. 90% of all cases of skin cancer are due to exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
Even though skin cancer (both melanoma and non-melanoma) is the most common form of cancer, it is also considered highly curable when detected early and treated promptly. When left untreated, the disease can be disfiguring and even fatal. Our experienced facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Matthew White, offers advanced procedures – including Mohs Micrographic skin cancer treatment – that can reduce cancerous areas of skin while minimizing any resulting aesthetic damage.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Matthew White or to learn more about Mohs Skin Cancer Repair, please contact our office today.
Skin Cancer Risk Factors
Over 90% of skin cancer is caused by ultraviolet radiation (from the sun, sun lamps, or tanning booths), and approximately 80% of skin cancers develop on the face, head, or neck.
Over 90% of skin cancer is caused by ultraviolet radiation (from the sun, sun lamps, or tanning booths), and approximately 80% of skin cancers develop on the face, head, or neck.
- A naturally fair skin, blue or green eyes, blond or red hair
- A family history of skin cancer
- Over-exposure to the sun
- Sunburns during childhood
- Skin that burns, freckles, easily reddens, or becomes painful in the sun
- Specific types of moles
- A large number of moles
- Prescription drugs that increase susceptibility to UV rays
Types of Skin Cancer
There are three commonly used techniques for the facial reanimation process:
- Basal Cell Carcinoma: Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. This cancer usually grows at a slow rate and rarely spreads beyond the site of origin. Though it is seldom life-threatening, if left untreated this cancer is able to develop in deeper layers of skin, eventually reaching the underlying tissue and bone, which can cause serious damage. This cancer is particularly dangerous when found around the eye.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the second most frequently seen type of skin cancer and often manifests on the patient’s lips, face or ears. It is possible for this cancer to spread to the patient’s lymph nodes and internal organs, where the damaging effects of the disease will become more severe. Squamous Cell Carcinoma can be life-threatening if not treated.
- Malignant Melanoma: Although Malignant Melanoma is the least common type of skin cancer, the number of cases have steadily been rising, particularly in Sunbelt states. Malignant Melanoma is considered the most dangerous and lethal type of skin cancer, but early diagnosis and swift treatment can completely cure the disease before it is able to spread throughout the body.
Diagnosis of Skin Cancer
To diagnose his patients, Dr. Matthew White will remove all or part of the skin growth and examine the skin cells microscopically in order to determine if the cells are cancerous.
Symptoms of Skin Cancer
The following are some of the symptoms that may indicate skin cancer. Individuals should evaluate themselves regularly for these symptoms, and have routine professional skin cancer screenings.
Those who have found symptoms of skin cancer on their bodies should have a professional skin cancer screening immediately.
- Small lumps, spots, or moles that are shiny, waxy, or pale in color and smooth in texture
- Firm red lumps, spots, or moles
- Sores or spots that bleed, become hard, or don’t heal
- Rough or scaly patches of skin
- Flat and scaly areas of skin that are red or brown in color
- Any new skin growth; or an existing growth that has changed in color and/or appearance in any way
Treatments & Mohs Surgery
Depending on the patient, the type of skin cancer, and the stage of cancer growth, Dr. White will tailor each skin cancer treatment to meet the needs of each unique case. The majority of skin cancers can be surgically removed under local anesthesia. For more serious cases of the disease, alternative treatment options include curettage, cryosurgery, radiation therapy, topical chemotherapy, and Mohs surgery (also known as Mohs excision, Mohs removal, or simply Mohs).
Mohs surgery is a highly advanced and innovative skin cancer treatment for which Dr. White has had years of special training and experience. Mohs surgery removes the cancerous growth layer-by-layer, providing a very precise treatment process. One of its many benefits is the fact that Mohs surgery is designed to spare as much surrounding healthy tissue as possible, which can lead to less noticeable scarring.
What Our Patients Are Saying
I’ve never had a better doctor in terms of the overall consultation to Post-Op care that I received. Dr. White’s staff helped me understand my options relative to my insurance coverage and very responsive and proactive in any questions I had leading up to the surgery.
Reconstruction
There are three major goals for reconstruction surgery: repairing tissue, rebuilding damaged body areas, and restoring function that may have been lost. Keeping these goals in mind, Dr. White performs all procedures with an aesthetic eye, taking care to preserve each patient’s natural appearance as much as possible.
Artistic reconstructive surgery is often required to avoid significant cosmetic concerns. Dr. White is highly skilled and experienced with reconstructive surgery and works diligently to provide optimal aesthetic and functional outcomes after skin cancer removal.
Skin Cancer Prevention
Since ultraviolet radiation from the sun, sun lamps, or tanning booths are often major causes of skin cancer, reducing excessive exposure to UV rays is the best way to help prevent the disease. Dr. White recommends people avoid the sun between the hours of 10:00 am and 2:00 pm when possible and notes that UV rays are present even on cloudy days.
Protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen will help protect the skin. Sun exposure also has a cumulative effect, and activities such as gardening, sailing, swimming, fishing, hiking, and even just walking to your car can gradually cause long-term damage. This makes it very important to take precautions against the harmful effects of UV rays.
Contact Dr. W. Matthew White
To speak with Dr. White about skin cancer treatments or skin cancer prevention, contact our practice today.
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