Skin Cancer Specialist

Skin cancer is a potentially deadly disease affecting more Americans than any other cancer. At Cleaver Medical Group Dermatology in Alpharetta, Canton, Cumming, Dahlonega, Dawsonville, Gainesville, Lavonia, Johns Creek and Toccoa, GA, the dermatologists provide comprehensive care to diagnose, treat, and prevent skin cancer. Call Cleaver Medical Group Dermatology today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

What is skin cancer?

Skin cancer is a disorder that starts in the epidermis, the skin’s outermost layer. When cancer cells multiply, they invade deeper layers of the skin, the dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. They can metastasize (spread) to other areas of the body.

What are the different kinds of skin cancer?

The three main kinds of skin cancer are:

Basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma, or BCC, develops in sun-exposed areas of the skin. The most common skin cancer, BCC results from abnormal growth of basal cells. This slow-growing cancer is not metastatic, meaning it doesn’t spread to other areas of your body. However, it can damage your skin.

Early intervention is the best method to remove BCC before penetrating your skin’s deeper layers. BCC typically appears as an open sore that doesn’t heal, a small, red bump, or a flat, white scar.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer. It usually appears as a flat, scaly sore, a raised patch of red skin, or a firm bump. Though SCC is rarely life-threatening, it can spread to other areas of the body. SCC tumors are often aggressive and can damage your skin and internal tissues.

Melanoma

Melanoma is the most life-threatening form of skin cancer. It develops in the melanocytes, the cells producing melanin, the skin’s natural pigment. Most melanomas begin as moles. Any mole that darkens, changes its size or shape, or develops abnormal borders can be melanoma. Treating melanoma before it spreads is critical to protect your health.

What causes skin cancer?

The most common cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Spending time outside without sunscreen or using tanning beds are two major risk factors for skin cancer. Other common risk factors include:

• Having fair skin
• Having a family history of skin cancer
• Living in a sunny climate
• Having a history of sunburns
• Having many moles

Precancerous lesions, like actinic keratosis, also raise your risk of developing skin cancer.

How is skin cancer treated?

Your dermatologist at Cleaver Medical Group Dermatology performs a comprehensive skin cancer screening to diagnose skin cancer. Depending on which kind you have, they will recommend:

• Cryotherapy to freeze the lesion
• Excisional surgery to remove cancer cells
• Mohs surgery to preserve healthy skin tissue
• Photodynamic therapy to destroy cancer cells

If you have malignant melanoma that has spread, your dermatologist will refer you to an oncologist for chemotherapy or radiation.

Call Cleaver Medical Group Dermatology today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.