Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Over a million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. Anyone can get skin cancer. Your risk of developing skin cancer is increased if your parent, child or sibling has had any form of skin cancer – particularly melanoma. Redheads and blondes have a two-fold to four-fold greater risk of developing melanoma. However, darker-skinned patients are still at risk.
TYPES OF SKIN CANCER
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer and represents about 80 percent of new skin cancers. This type is rarely life-threatening and does not usually spread. A predisposition to basal cell carcinoma can be inherited, but these lesions usually occur in patients who have had repeated sun exposure. Patients that develop a basal cell cancer have a 60 percent chance of developing another one within five years, so it is essential that all patients who have had skin cancer continue to see our physician regularly. Basal Cell Carcinoma may appear as a red, flesh-colored, or pearly bump, or may have the appearance of an ulcer.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma is another common type of skin cancer that is rarely life-threatening when caught early. It represents about 16 percent of new skin cancers and is found most often in people with fair complexions. This type may develop from an actinic keratosis which is a pre-cancer that tends to be a red and scaly lesion on sun-damaged skin. Actinic keratosis can often range in size from a pencil eraser to the size of a coin and form on all sun-exposed areas of the body. Squamous Cell Carcinoma can also appear as a red bump, or may have the appearance of an ulcer.
Malignant Melanoma
Malignant Melanoma represents about four percent of newly diagnosed skin cancers. It is the most serious form of skin cancer and can be deadly. However, if treated early while it is still thin, the cure rate is about 95 percent. If it is allowed to grow it can be fatal. This cancer usually stems from a mole that has been present for many years. If you have a mole that increases in size or changes in color, you should have it examined by a doctor immediately. Malignant Melanoma may also appear as a dark, irregular pigmented patch.
POST OPERATIVE CARE
- Do not shower for 24 hours
- May take Tylenol and/or
- Motrin every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
- Use Vaseline twice a day on the affected area.
- May apply a cold compress to reduce swelling as needed
- Cover the wound if activities prevent it staying clean and/or to prevent rubbing against clothing, etc.
- Wear loose fitting clothing depending upon the location of the incision
- A nurse will call you with the pathology report in 1-2 days
- If bleeding occurs hold pressure for 10 minutes continuously
Please contact our office if you notice fevers, chills, drainage from the wound site that is yellow or green in color or the area around the wound becomes very hot, swollen and red.
Schedule a consult
Not sure what treatment is right for you? Schedule a consult with our experianced staff and we will help you determine which treatment is right for you.