Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer

A very serious condition that affects millions of people in the country. CDG has the experience needed to diagnose and treat all types of skin cancer.

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WHAT IS SKIN CANCER?

Skin cancer is a cancer that starts in the skin. Some other types of cancer may start in other parts of the body and can spread to the skin, but these are not skin cancers. There are two main type of skin cancers: keratinocyte cancers (basal and squamous cell skin cancers) and melanomas.


KERATINOCYTE CANCERS

Basal and Squamous cell skin cancers are by far the most common cancers of the skin. They start in cells called keratinocytes, the most common cells in the skin. Both of these cancers are found mainly on parts of the body exposed to the sun such as the head and neck. These cancers are strongly related to the amount of sun exposure a person has had.

Basal and Squamous cell cancers are much less likely than melanomas to spread to other parts of the body and become life threatening. However it is still important to find and treat these immediately. If left untreated, they can grow larger and invade nearby tissues and organs, causing scaring, deformity, loss of function in some parts of the body, and even be fatal.


MELANOMAS CANCERS

Melanomas are cancers that develop from melanocytes, the cells that make up the brown pigment that gives skin its color. Melanocytes can also form benign, non cancerous growths called moles. Although this cancer can occur anywhere on the body, it is most likely to start in certain locations. The chest and back is the most common in men and the neck and face are the most common places to start in women.

Melanomas are not as common as basal and squamous cell skin cancers, but they can be far more serious. In its early stages melanomas can be almost always curable. But if left alone, melanoma is much more likely to spread to other parts of the body, being very hard to treat.

SCHEDULE YOUR SKIN CANCER SCREENING

Carlisle Dermatology Group is proud to serve our community in preventing skin cancer. Schedule your patient checkup exam and skin cancer screening by calling our office today.

 


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