Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than 500,000 new cases are reported each year—and the incidence is rising faster than any other type of cancer. While skin cancers can be found on any part of the body, about 80 percent appear on the face, head, or neck, where they can be disfiguring as well as dangerous.

The primary cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet radiation—most often from the sun, but also from artificial sources like sunlamps and tanning booths. Family ancestry may also contribute to skin cancer incidence.

Types of skin cancer

By far the most common type of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma. Fortunately, it's also the least dangerous kind. It tends to grow slowly and rarely spreads beyond its original site. Though basal cell carcinoma is seldom life threatening, if left untreated it can grow deep beneath the skin and into the underlying tissue and bone, causing serious damage.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the next most common kind of skin cancer, frequently appearing on the lips, face, or ears. It sometimes spreads to distant sites, including lymph nodes and internal organs. Squamous cell carcinoma can become life threatening if it's not treated.

Melanoma is the least common, but its incidence is increasing rapidly. Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. If discovered early enough, it can be completely cured. If it's not treated quickly, however, malignant melanoma may spread throughout the body and is often deadly.

Skin Cancer Treatment

Most skin cancers are diagnosed by a dermatologist or primary care physician after taking a small tissue sample (biopsy) for pathological analysis. Dr. Wigod removes biopsy proven basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, and melanoma in situ (an early form) when they are on the face or hand. More aggressive melanoma lesions or lesions on other parts of the body may be removed by a surgical oncologist. Some complex lesions may be best removed by a Moh’s dermatologist (a specialist with extra training in skin cancer removal).

Depending on the location and severity of the cancer, the results of cancer removal may range from small or easy to close wounds to large and difficult to close ones. Closure results may also range from minimal scar, to an unsightly scar, to permanent changes in facial structures such as your nose, ear, or lip. Dr. Wigod can perform reconstructive techniques such as layered scar closure, tissue rearrangement, distant flap rotation, or skin graft to help minimize deformity and maximize function. You may have healing problems, recurrences, or require revisions. Your dermatologist or primary care physician should also follow you closely to help detect recurrences as well as new cancers.

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