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Mark Herron, MD, has experience in diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer and suspicious lesions such as moles, birthmarks, dysplastic nevus, actinic keratosis, Basal cell carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and Melanoma.
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Everyone has moles, sometimes 40 or more. Moles can be anywhere on the body. They are usually brown in color, and can be all shapes and sizes. Sun exposure increases the number of moles on the body. Moles may darken with sun exposure. During the teenage years, with birth control pills, and with pregnancy, moles often become darker and larger.
A dysplastic nevus is a benign growth that may clinically resemble melanoma in that it shares some features of melanoma. It may be a precursor for melanoma. However, a dysplastic nevus is not a melanoma. Having dysplatic nevi may increase a person's risk of having melanoma. This risk varies from small to great. The risk developing melanoma is greater when the person with an atypical nevus has a family history of melanoma. Any person with atypical moles should examine their skin every 2-3 months and be seen by a dermatologist every 6-12 months.
Actinic keratosis is the earliest stage of a developing skin cancer. Actinic keratoses present as sandpaper like growths on the skin or a scaling/cracking lesion on sun damaged skin. These lesions usually come, disappear for several weeks, and return. Due to potential malignancy, all AK's should be treated. Treatments include biopsy, cryosurgery, and topical medications. If not treated, they can turn into squamous cell carcinoma.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. The incidence of BCC increases by 5% each year. In the United States, a child born in 1994 will have a lifetime risk of developing a BCC between 28% to 33%. People with one basal cell carcinoma have a greater chance of developing new lesions. 40% of people develop second BCC within 5 years. The cycle of a basal cell carcinoma is that they bled, crust over, appear to "heal" and then bled/crust over again. It may present as an open sore that does not heal, a red patch of skin, a pimple-like growth, a bump, or a scar. If you have a sore that does not heal, you should have this biopsied. Treatments appropriate for basal cell carcinoma include excisional surgery performed in the office. Cure rates for treatment are greater than 95% if detected and treated early.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) left untreated will penetrate deep and destroy underlying tissue. 2500 people die from the spread of their squamous cell carcinomas each year. SCC is caused by long standing sun exposure. Tanning beds and sunlight will cause SCC over time. SCC may present as an open sore that does not heal, a red patch of skin, a growth, an elevated bump with central depression, a wart like growth, or a scar. SCC usually has a crust on top. Treatments appropriate for squamous cell carcinoma include excisional surgery performed in the office. Cure rates with treatment are greater than 95%.
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. Melanoma left untreated will penetrate deep and destroy underlying tissue. It can spread to any organ. The American Cancer Society estimates that 105,750 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2005. This is a 10% increase from 2004. 7770 people die from the spread of their melanoma in 2005. One person dies from melanoma every hour. Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in men and sixth most common cancer in women. Rate of melanoma has tripled between 1980 and 2003.
In the year 2005, 1 in 34 Americans have a lifetime risk of developing melanoma. Melanoma is more common than any other form of cancer among women between the ages of 25 and 29.
Melanoma may appear suddenly without warning. If may begin near a mole or another dark spot on the skin. It may present as a dark brown, dark black or multi-colored lesion. It may become crusted and bleed. It may cause itching. It can be an open sore that does not heal, a new growth, an elevated bump, or a scar. It can appear on any body part. Treatments appropriate for melanoma include excision surgery performed in the office. Cure rates for treatment are greater than 95% for melanoma that is diagnosed EARLY.
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