Skin Cancers
There are three major types of skin cancer: Basal Cell Carcinoma, the most common; Squamous Cell Carcinoma the second most common, and Malignant Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
 Basal Cell Carcinoma |
 Squamous Cell Carcinoma |
 Malignant Melanoma |
There are several factors behind the development of skin cancer. The most important is sun exposure before the age of 18. Most sun damage occurs before the age of 18 (90% of your sun damage occurs from 1 to 18 yrs of age) so it is extra important to protect the skin during these years.
There is usually a delay from a series of intensive sun exposures to the first skin cancer occurring. What is concerning to physicians, is that we are seeing an increase in the numbers of skin cancer cases that are occurring in our younger population. Melanoma skin cancer is an example of this, today ranking among the deadliest type of cancer in women between the ages of 25 and 30. We also recommend that our patients have an annual total body skin examination. A baseline eye exam is also recommended by our staff because melanoma can occur here (retinal region of eye) and this is an area which we normally do not evaluate. Ask your eye doctor about the OPTOMAP™ scan. It involves a simple scan and no dilating eye drops are required.
SKIN CANCER STATISTICS
(from www.aad.org courtesy of the American Academy of Dermatology)
- More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year (2008).
- Basal cell and Squamous cell carcinomas are the two most common forms of skin cancer, but are easily treated if detected early.
- Current estimates are that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.
- Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for adolescents and young adults 15-29 years old.
- Melanoma is increasing faster in females 15-29 years old than males in the same age group. In females 15-29 years old, the torso is the most common location for developing melanoma which may be due to high-risk tanning behaviors.
- Melanoma in individuals 10-39 years old is highly curable with five-year survival rates exceeding 90 percent.
- 1 in 58 men and women will be diagnosed with melanoma during their lifetime. Caucasians and men over 50 years of age are at a higher risk of developing melanoma than the general population.
- It is estimated that there will be about 116,500 new cases of melanoma in 2008 - 54,020 noninvasive (in situ) and 62,480 invasive (34,950 men and 27,530 women).
- One American dies of melanoma almost every hour (every 62 minutes). In 2008, 8,420 deaths will be attributed to melanoma - 5,400 men and 3,020 women.
- The World Health Organization estimates that as many as 65,161 people a year worldwide die from too much sun, mostly from malignant skin cancer.
- More than 75 percent of skin cancer deaths are from melanoma.
- The five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes is 99 percent.
- In 2004, the total direct cost associated with the treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer was $1.5 billion.
- The American Cancer Society recommends periodic skin examination as part of any cancer related check-up depending on a person's age and gender.
- Individuals with a history of melanoma should have a full body exam at least annually and perform regular self-exams for new and changing moles.
- Five-year survival rates for regional and distant stage melanomas are 65% and 15%, respectively.
SKIN CANCER WEBSITES
Skin Cancer Info - Learn more about skin cancer by contacting the American Academy of Dermatology, then click on "Skin Cancer Updates". An excellent source for the latest in skin cancer news and "Safe Sun Tips" for the entire family.
http://www.aad.org
American Society for Mohs Surgery - a wonderful resource to learn more about this tissue sparing skin cancer surgery advanced by dermatologic surgeons in the 1930s.
http://www.mohssurgery.org
Prevention and early detection, however, remain the key to an excellent outcome. By quickly recognizing a precancerous lesion, an unusual mole or other non-healing sore spot, you may quickly identify and eliminate any potential cancer risk from your body.
If you are concerned about a mole or spot, it is wise to have our experts evaluate the lesion. Remember, early prevention and diagnosis gives you the best chance for a cure!
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.