Skin Cancers

Basal cell carcinomas (common type of skin cancer) are usually biopsied to establish the diagnosis. The tissue is immediately examined under the microscope (called a frozen section) to assure that all of the cancer is removed. Alternatively, some... Full Answer

When compared to any other modality available for skin cancer removal, Mohs micrographic surgery offers the highest cure rate (approaching 99 percent). This technique allows the surgeon to identify and remove the entire cancer... Full Answer

Basal cell carcinoma is diagnosed through a biopsy. The dermatologist removes an area of the skin that he or she determines looks suspicious. Some basal cell carcinomas bleed, others present as rough patches on the skin. If you have a rough dry patch or... Full Answer

The three main kinds of skin cancer: basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma. They all originate from different cell types and therefore have very different behaviors. Basal cells and squamous cells are limited to the outer skin, so they invade locally.... Full Answer

The most common of all skin cancers, basal cell carcinoma affects over one million people every year. Basal cell carcinoma typically looks like a pearly papule with little blood vessels and redness or even ulceration in the center. It also may... Full Answer

Cancer is a case of normal cells going bad and then growing at an alarming rate. This population of abnormal cells becomes more and more massive until they take over resources of blood supply and nutrients. It's an unchecked revolution in your body.... Full Answer

The classic basal cell carcinoma appears as a pearly pink bump, like a pimple that doesn't go away. It's slightly elevated and smooth. But sometimes BCC can show up as a smooth, flat white-pink scar (these are more aggressive) or a brown patch that... Full Answer

Radiation is an option for targeting areas that are difficult to treat with surgery and a common alternative for those who can't have surgery for some reason. Radiation energy damages and destroys genetic material in both normal and cancer cells, and... Full Answer

Skin cancer is by far the most prevalent cancer in the United States, with more than one million new cases diagnosed this year, and that number is rising by almost 5 percent annually. That accounts for half of all new cancer cases each year. Current... Full Answer

Excision is the most effective way to treat almost all skin cancers. For basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, Mohs micrographic surgery is the gold standard because of its accuracy and because it spares tissue and leaves much less scarring -... Full Answer