Melanoma Specialist

What are the different types of skin cancer?

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. There are numerous types of skin cancer, but the most common are:

• Basal cell carcinoma, which is by far the most common, affecting about 8 in 10 Americans who have skin cancer
• Squamous cell carcinoma, the second most prevalent skin cancer according to the American Cancer Society
• Melanoma, which affects about 1% of Americans with skin cancer but causes most skin cancer-related deaths. It is currently on the rise in young adults.
  
  

All these forms of skin cancer, even melanoma, usually respond well to treatment and can even be cured with surgical removal, especially when caught early.

What are the signs of skin cancer?

Your doctor can provide detailed information regarding the warning signs and symptoms of skin cancer. In general, however, basal cell carcinoma may appear as:

• Open sores that don’t heal or seem to heal and then return
• Raised, red patches of skin that are sometimes itchy
• Small, pink or red bumps with a shiny or translucent appearance
• Skin growths with raised edges and a lower or sunken center area
  
  

Squamous cell carcinoma is sometimes mistaken for wart-like growths but otherwise includes many of the same symptoms as a basal cell.

Melanoma signs include but not limited to:

• Changes in a mole’s shape, size or color
• Skin spot or mole with scalloped, jagged or irregular borders rather than smooth, well-defined edges
• An open sore that doesn’t heal
  
  

One type of melanoma may appear as a dark or discolored streak on or near toenails or fingernails.

How is melanoma treated?

Treatment for melanoma starts with an accurate diagnosis obtained through biopsy. There are various ways to biopsy a skin lesion. In the case of suspected melanoma, whenever possible, your surgeon excises (surgically removes) the abnormal growth and then sends it to a lab for analysis.

If the lesion is positive for cancer, your surgeon may also biopsy nearby lymph nodes to help identify whether the melanoma has spread to other areas. You might also undergo another surgery at the lesion site, wide excision, to help ensure that all cancer cells are removed. Based on the extent of the melanoma, other treatments may be recommended.

Early skin cancer treatment often results in a cure. Call Chicago Surgical Clinic or schedule an appointment online today.