Skin Cancer Diagnosis and Treatments
There are actually many types of skin cancers but the most common forms are usually 3 types, Basal Cell cancer, squamous cell cancer and Melanoma. Basal cell cancer and Squamous cell cancer are usually associated with sun exposure and are the most frequent types. Melanoma, although not as common, is usually potentially more deadly than the other 2 more common skin cancers. The risk factors seem to be more complex and relate more to a possible genetic tendency as well as possible intense bouts of sun exposure and more commonly the use to tanning beds.
Treatments of skin cancers vary as the type, severity, location, age and health of the patient and location on the body. For Basal cell and Squamous cell cancers of the body the treatment most commonly recommended is simple excision. When these cancers occur on the face, some may be treated by either a cream to remove the cancer, radiation or surgical removal. Melanoma is most always treated by surgical removal with wider excisions and possibly remotely removed lymph glands and chemotherapy depending on the severity.
Dermatologists are the experts in diagnosis of skin cancers. Depending on the training and surgical expertise, most can effectively treat all types of skin cancers. The treatment effectiveness is actually only as good as the skill, training and experience of the Dermatologist. Dr. Phillips has been treating skin cancers for over 25 years and has operated on over 30,000 cases. He was additionally trained in removal and reconstructive surgery following excision through work with numerous facial plastic surgeons. He was a lead teacher at Tulane on not only cosmetic procedure training but skin cancer reconstruction training.
Dr. Phillips has offered for the last 25 years to his patients the ability to have instant surgical confirmation of cancer removal in his office by working hand and hand with a board certified Dermatopathologist at the time of surgical removal. Very rarely, Dr. Phillips will refer a patient to either a Plastic Surgeon for cancer removal to be performed under general anesthesia or to what is called a MOH's Surgeon. This is usually however reserved for the rare cancers that are recurrent or if a cancer is especially aggressive. This determination is also based on the expertise and experience of the Dermatologist.