Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than 500,000 new cases are reported each year – and the incidence is rising faster than any other type of cancer. While skin cancers can be found on any part of the body, about 80 percent appear on the face, head or neck, where they can be disfiguring as well as dangerous.

What are the different types of skin cancer?
The most common type of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma, but it is also the least dangerous. Basal cell carcinoma tends to grow slowly and rarely spreads beyond its original site. It is seldom life-threatening, but if left untreated, can grow deep beneath the skin and into the underlying tissue and bone. In such an event, serious damage results, especially if the cancer is near the eye.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer. Most often, it appears on the lips, face or ears. Sometimes it spreads to distant sites, such as lymph nodes and internal organs. If not treated, squamous cell carcinoma can become life-threatening.

Malignant melanoma is the least common type of cancer. However, its incidence is increasing rapidly, especially in the southern states. Malignant melanoma is also the most dangerous type of skin cancer. If discovered early enough, it can be completely cured. But if not treated quickly, malignant melanoma may spread throughout the body and is often deadly.

Are there growths that are not cancerous?
Two other common types of skin growths are moles and keratoses. Moles are clusters of heavily pigmented skin cells, either flat or raised above the surface. While most pose no danger, some – particularly large moles present at birth, or those with mottled colors and poorly defined borders – may develop into malignant melanoma. Moles are frequently removed for cosmetic reasons, or because they are constantly irritated by clothing or jewelry (which can sometimes cause pre-cancerous changes).

Solar or actinic keratoses are rough, red or brown, scaly patches on the skin. They are usually found on areas exposed to the sun, and sometimes develop into squamous cell cancer.

What should I do if I notice an unusual growth?
If you notice an unusual growth, you can consult one of the plastic surgeons at The Centre, P.C. Our surgeons are skilled at diagnosing and treating skin cancer and other skin growths. Plastic surgeons can surgically remove the growth in a manner that maintains function and offers the most pleasing final appearance – a consideration that may be especially important if the cancer is in a highly visible area. If a treatment other than surgical excision is called for, the plastic surgeon can refer you to the appropriate specialist. Both benign and cancerous tumors differ widely in type, severity and recurrence. Your surgeon will examine the type of growth, its stage and location to determine the most appropriate removal method.

How is skin cancer diagnosed and treated?
Skin cancer is diagnosed by removing all or part of the growth and examining the cells under a microscope. Whether cancerous or benign, tumors vary widely in type, severity and recurrence. The surgeon will determine the removal method based on the type of growth, what stage it is in, and its location on the body.

Most skin cancers are removed surgically. If the cancer is small, the procedure can be done quickly and easily, using local anesthesia. The procedure may be a simple excision, which usually leaves a thin, barely visible scar.

If the cancer is large, however, or if it has spread to the lymph glands or elsewhere in the body, major surgery may be required. In some cases, flaps are used to reconstruct the affected area. Other possible treatments for skin cancer include cryosurgery (freezing the cancer cells), radiation therapy (using x-rays), topical chemotherapy (anticancer drugs applied to the skin), and Mohs surgery, a special procedure in which the cancer is shaved off one layer at a time. Mohs surgery is performed only by specially trained physicians, such as dermatologists, and often requires a follow-up reconstructive procedure by a plastic surgeon.

When surgery is required, The Centre, P.C. recommends the use of the VitaMedica Surgery Program, a comprehensive pre- and post-surgery nutritional supplement system designed specifically for patients undergoing extensive surgical procedures.

What are the cure rates for these treatments?
All of the treatments mentioned above, when chosen carefully and appropriately, have good cure rates for most basal cell and squamous cell cancers – and even for malignant melanoma, if caught very early before it has had a chance to spread. You should discuss your options thoroughly with your physician before beginning treatment.

What if I need reconstructive surgery, too?
The different techniques used in treating skin cancers can be lifesaving, but they may leave a patient with less than pleasing cosmetic or functional results. Depending on the location and severity of the cancer, the consequences may range from a small but unsightly scar to permanent changes in facial structures, such as your nose, ear or lip.

In such cases, you may elect, and your plastic surgeon may recommend, having reconstructive surgery. Reconstructive techniques range from a simple scar revision to a complex transfer of tissue flaps from elsewhere on the body. They often can repair damaged tissue, rebuild body parts, and restore most patients to acceptable appearance and function.

Click here to schedule a consultation with one of our cosmetic surgeons. The Centre, P.C. offers the latest plastic surgery procedures for skin cancer patients in Elkhart and South Bend, Indiana, Michiana and the Southern Michigan area, and Chicago.

 

Elkhart Office

RiverPointe Medical Building
500 Arcade Ave., Suite 300
Elkhart, IN 46514
Phone: 574-296-9100
FAX: 574-293-1511

South Bend Office

MEDICAL PAVILION I
720 EAST CEDAR STREET, SUITE 450
SOUTH BEND, IN 46617
PHONE: 574-233-9100
FAX: 574-233-9108

Chesterton Office

1830 SOUTH 11TH STREET
Chesterton, IN 46304
Phone: 219-395-9200

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