Skin Cancer Treatment Specialist
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Dermatology Consultants of Asheville, PLLC
Dermatology & Board Certified Dermatologists located in Asheville, Woodfin, NC
Skin cancer — the most common type of cancer — is closely linked to excessive sun exposure without protection. If you enjoy your time in the sun and find an unusual or changing lesion on your skin, visit dermatologist Jose Mendez, DO, and his team at Dermatology Consultants of Asheville in Woodfin, North Carolina. They specialize in diagnosing skin cancer and treating many types with surgical and nonsurgical methods. For an in-depth evaluation and professional skin cancer treatment, call the dermatology practice or book an appointment online today.
Skin Cancer Treatment Q&A
What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, which develops because of abnormal cell growth. Most skin cancer is benign, meaning it stays confined to your skin. Some cancers can become malignant when left unchecked, which means that they spread to other areas of your body. Malignant cancers are harder to treat.
Dermatology Consultants of Asheville specializes in diagnosing and treating various forms of skin cancer, including:
Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It grows very slowly and often stems from sun exposure. The most common places for basal cell carcinoma are the head and neck.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that typically grows more quickly than basal cell carcinoma. It usually results in red scales or small patches that reach deep into your skin.
Melanoma
Melanoma is uncommon, but it’s the most dangerous variety of skin cancer. It develops in your melanocytes, which are the cells that give your skin pigment.
When should I book an appointment for skin cancer treatment?
It’s important to know the warning signs associated with skin cancer in order to book an appointment as soon as possible after you develop it. The providers at Dermatology Consultants of Asheville can perform a full evaluation if you notice moles or lesions with:
- Asymmetry
- Border irregularity
- Color changes or variation
- Diameter changes
- Elevation changes
You can remember these tips using the acronym ABCDE. This acronym works best to identify melanoma, though you should report any unusual changes in your skin to your dermatologist.
If Dermatology Consultants of Asheville concludes that your mole or lesion is suspicious, they perform a biopsy to test the tissue and find out if the cells are cancerous.
What does skin cancer treatment involve?
Dermatology Consultants of Asheville creates your skin cancer treatment plan based on the type of skin cancer you have, its location, its size, and its stage. Available treatments for skin cancer include both surgical and nonsurgical methods like:
- Excisional surgery
- Cryotherapy (freezing)
- Curettage and electrodessication
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Laser therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Biologics
The providers at Dermatology Consultants of Asheville specialize in Mohs surgery, an advanced surgical technique for skin cancer removal that leaves the majority of healthy tissue around your lesion intact. This method minimizes scarring and works well for recurrent, large, or hard-to-reach lesions.
During Mohs surgery, your dermatologist removes a small layer of cells at a time. They take the cell to the lab and view it under a microscope to identify exactly where the cancer is before removing another layer of cancerous cells. They repeat the process until there are no more cancerous cells in the area.
Book your professional skin cancer evaluation or treatment at Dermatology Consultants of Asheville by phone or online today.