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Skin cancer is the uncontrolled overgrowth of abnormal skin cells. Skin cancers, especially when caught early, can be treatable.
What is it?
Skin cancer can affect anyone and appear anywhere on the body. Common forms of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Skin cancers are more common on areas regularly exposed to ultraviolet light such as the sun, tanning beds and sun lamps.
When caught early, skin cancers are very treatable. It is impotrant to monitor any new or emerging spots or bumps on your skin that differ in shape, color, size,or texture. If you observe any spots or bumps that itch, bleed, crust, ooze, look suspicious, we encourage you schedule an appointment for further assessment.
In addition to regular skin checks with a board-certified provider at Dermatologists of Southwest Ohio, we recommend regular self-examinations using the ABCDE method. Schedule with a dermatologist immediately if you notice a spot or mole with:
A - Asymmetrical shape
B - Borders that are not regular
C - Colors that differ from one area to the next
D - Diameter larger than a pencil eraser
E - Evolution in its size, shape, or color since your last exam
You can reduce your risk of developing skin cancer by minimizing sun exposure and shielding your skin from UV rays. While the sun can be enjoyable, it can also be damaging. Sun damage can accumulate throughout the year in Ohio, even in the winter monthe. Always apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and limit your skin's exposure to harmful rays.
How is it treated?
Accurate diagnosis is the first step of treating skin cancer. After a visual exam, if a spot shows signs of potential cancer, we'll remove a small sample to examine under microscope in our laboratory. In the lab, a dermatopathologist will determine whether your tissue is benign (normal, non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). If found to be cancerous, our skin cancer specialists will diagnose the particular type of cancer and recommend a personalized treatment strategy.
We encounter and treat all kinds of skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) and sebaceous cell carcinoma. Our board-certified providers have specialized training and certification in various skin cancer treatments including surgical excision, Mohs surgery, immunotherapy, targeted drug therapy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Remember: early detection of skin cancer saves lives and helps minimize scarring or disfigurement.
We offer skin cancer screenings, diagnosis and skin cancer treatment in Batavia, Beavercreek, Bridgetown, Cincinnati, Dayton, Dent, Greenville, Hillsboro, Kettering, Mason, Montgomery, Oxford, Troy, West Chester and Wilmington, Ohio.