Skin Cancer

What is actinic keratosis?

Actinic keratosis is a precancerous growth that could become cancer without treatment. It’s often caused by sun exposure. Actinic keratosis treatment may include liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, topical creams, laser therapy, light therapy, skin resurfacing, or other treatments based on your symptoms and situation.

What is basal cell carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma is a very common skin cancer that affects millions of Americans. It’s usually caused by sun exposure. Your treatment may include options like excision, electrodesiccation and curettage, laser therapy, topical creams, cryosurgery, or Mohs surgery, depending on your specific needs.

What is squamous cell carcinoma?

Squamous cell carcinoma is less common than basal cell carcinoma, with around 700,000 new cases annually in the United States. It’s usually tied to sun exposure. Treatment options are typically the same as those for basal cell carcinoma.

What is melanoma?

Melanoma is the rarest and most severe type of skin cancer. It can spread quite quickly, but a fast response gives you a very high chance of survival. With melanoma, full removal of all cancerous tissue with wide local excision is the best option.

What is Mohs surgery?

Mohs surgery is a surgical technique often used for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and lentigo maligna on the head and neck. The goal of Mohs surgery is to remove as little healthy tissue as possible while taking all the cancerous tissue away.

To accomplish this goal, your surgeon removes tissue in stages. First, they remove the visible tumor and then check it under a microscope. Your surgeon uses a sophisticated and highly complex mapping system to examine each part of the skin to look for cancer cells.

If your surgeon discovers that cancer cells remain in the tissue on the bottom or sides of your tumor, they’ll then remove another layer of skin tissue in that specific area. Your surgeon again examines the tissue in detail to see if cancer cells are present. The removal and examination process continues until the tissue is cancer-free.

Only surgeons with specialized training can perform this advanced treatment. Associated Skin Care Specialists has four Mohs surgeons who regularly perform Mohs surgery during outpatient procedures.

If you have skin cancer concerns, book your appointment with one of the expert dermatologists at Associated Skin Care Specialists online or by phone now.