Skin cancer appears when skin cells grow abnormally, often due to over-exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds.  As the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, skin cancer can usually be effectively treated if caught early.  At Village Dermatology, we focus on the prevention, accurate diagnosis, and treatment of various forms of skin cancer, providing advanced care to help safeguard your skin’s health.

There are three main types of skin cancer, each with different characteristics and treatment options:

1. Basal Cell Skin Cancer:
   Basal cell skin cancer is the most frequent form of skin cancer.  It often appears as a flesh-colored bump, pearly nodule, or pink patch on sun-exposed areas like the face, neck, and arms.  While Basal Cell Skin Cancer rarely spreads to other areas of the body, it can grow deeper into surrounding tissues, causing damage if left untreated.
2. Squamous Cell Skin Cancer:
   Squamous cell skin cancer is the second most common form of skin cancer.  It typically presents as a red, scaly patch, wart-like growth, or sore that doesn’t heal, often on sun-exposed areas.  Squamous cell skin cancer has a greater risk of spreading to other areas of the body if not treated promptly.
3. Melanoma:
   Melanoma is the most significant type of skin cancer, but it occurs less frequently than Basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer.  It develops in the pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes and can appear as an unusual mole or dark spot.  Melanoma can spread to other organs if not caught early, making early detection critical to successful treatment.

Melanoma is the most risky form of skin cancer, but early detection can lead to successful treatment.  The ABCDEs of melanoma are essential for identifying suspicious moles or lesions:

• A – Asymmetry: One half of the mole or spot is unlike the other half.
• B – Border: The edges are irregular, uneven, scalloped, or poorly defined.
• C – Color: Varies from one spot to another, with shades of brown, black, white, or even blue.
• D – Diameter: Melanomas are commonly larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser) but can be smaller when first detected.
• E – Evolving: The mole changes in shape, size, and/or color.