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Skin Cancer

Find comfort in skin cancer treatments with our board-certified dermatologists in Winston-Salem.

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Skin Cancer

Find comfort in skin cancer treatments with our board-certified dermatologists in Winston-Salem.

What is Skin Cancer?

Dermatology Services

Skin Cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the skin that typically leads to a rapid expansion of the malignancy that can be destructive to the skin in the area and occasionally skin cancer can spread to other parts of the body. While a skin cancer diagnosis can be scary, catching it early is crucial for effective treatment.

It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of skin cancer, as well as perform self-examinations regularly to ensure an early skin cancer diagnosis. If you notice that you may have skin cancer or need to schedule your annual skin cancer screening, contact the Skin Surgery Center of Winston-Salem.

Please note that our services vary from location to location, so please contact the location to inquire about the service or help you need.

Dermatologist Inspecting A Patient's Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer FAQs

Our board-certified dermatologists understand how scary a skin cancer diagnosis can be, so we’re here to help guide you through common questions and provide safe and reliable treatment options.

As the most common type of cancer, it’s important to know how to spot skin cancer. There are many types of skin cancer, but the most common types are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.  Here are descriptions of what these common types may look like.

Basal cell carcinoma- Usually found in higher sun exposed areas like the neck and face and typically will bleed easily and itch. This type of skin cancer may appear as:

  • a bump with a pearly/pink edge
  • scaly and flat with blurred edges and waxy appearance
  • recurring scabbing sore

Squamous cell carcinoma- Found in similar areas as basal cell carcinoma and may feel tender to the touch, sting, and be described as:

  • a patch that’s scaly and crusty
  • Inflamed, red bump or nodule
  • recurring scabbing sore

Melanoma- Can form anywhere, though often found in areas of more sun exposure. Melanoma may arise in an existing mole or on its own. Also, melanoma may not have symptoms however, sometimes they may feel itchy, sting, or bleed. Melanoma frequently has a history of changing size or shape and may appear as:

  • dark brown spot
  • black spot

Itching along with bleeding, hurting, and scabbing can be the result of skin cancer. If you experience these symptoms and they do not resolve on their own, contact our board-certified dermatologists who specialize in skin cancer diagnosis and treatment.

With an early skin cancer diagnosis, skin cancer treatment is highly effective, but more advanced skin cancers can be fatal. Certain types of skin cancer, like melanoma and certian squamous cell carcinomas can grow faster, leaving a smaller window for early diagnosis. 

Be sure to schedule an annual cancer screening at the Skin Surgery Center of Winston-Salem, along with regular self-examinations for a better chance at early skin cancer diagnosis.

Knowing the causes of skin cancer are important in the prevention of a skin cancer diagnosis. If you have these following risk factors, we’ve provided tips to preventing them from causing skin cancer:

  • Sun/Ultraviolet Radiation exposure: wear minimum SPF 15 sunscreen(and apply sufficient quantity frequently), sun protective clothing, and avoid midday sun
  • Fair skin: wear minimum SPF 15 sunscreen(and apply sufficient quantity frequently), sun protective clothing, and avoid midday sun
  • Family history of skin cancer: discuss medical history with your family and doctors
  • History of sunburns: avoid overexposure to the sun
  • Chemical exposure: avoid contact with chemicals when possible, and wear protective gear when handling

The health of your skin is crucial to your overall health, which is why an early skin cancer diagnosis and treatment is important.

 

Any new skin lesion that itches, stings, burns or bleeds or is changing in size or shape and does not resolve on it’s own could be a skin cancer. 

 

Your skin is the largest organ of your body, so look for signs of melanoma using the American Academy of Dermatology’s ABCDE guide:

  • A is for asymmetry: Half the mole does not match the other half in size, shape or color.
  • B is for border: The edges of moles are irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined.
  • C is for color: The mole is not the same color throughout.
  • D is for diameter: The mole is usually greater than 6 millimeters when diagnosed, but may also be smaller.
  • E is for evolving: A mole or skin lesion that is different from the rest, or changes in size, shape, or color.

While surgery is the primary treatment for skin cancer, there are different types of surgical procedures along with other options depending on your diagnosis. Our board-certified dermatologists at the Skin Surgery Center of Winston-Salem provide reliable, effective skin cancer treatments, such as:

  • Prescription creams: Medicated creams that can treat early stage skin cancers.
  • Cryosurgery: Freezing of the tumor with liquid nitrogen to destroy the cancerous cells.
  • Curettage and desiccation: Cancer is scraped using a curette, then the wound is sealed with electrical energy.
  • Mohs micrographic surgery: Layers of skin are removed and analyzed under a microscope allowing for a mapping of further more precise layers, leaving surrounding healthy cells untouched. The wound may then be stitched, reconstructed, or left to heal depending on size.
  • Surgical Excision: Cancer cells are surgically removed, including some surrounding healthy cells and the wound is frequently closed with stitches.
  • Radiation Therapy: Cancers that may not be amenable to other forms of treatment above where cells are killed with high doses of radiation.

Skin Cancer Photos

Review the photos of skin cancer below to get  a better idea of what skin cancer may look like. Although scary, getting a skin cancer diagnosis early is important and knowing what it may look like helps.

Using Mosh Surgery On A Woman's Face
Using Mohs Surgery To Remove A Mole
Dermatologist Using Mohs Surgery To Remove Skin Cancer From A Man's Face
Close Picture Of A Cancerous Mole

Skin Cancer Treatment at the Skin Surgery Center of Winston-Salem, NC.

Our board-certified dermatologists understand how difficult a skin cancer diagnosis may feel. We provide safe, reliable treatment options if diagnosed with skin cancer, and help manage the health of your skin.

Contact our providers online or call (336) 560-8911 and schedule an appointment for a skin cancer screening, diagnosis, and/or treatment today in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

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Have questions or concerns? Please visit our Locations page to call an office near you.

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