To learn more about skin cancer removal, contact our practice in La Jolla.
Torrey Pines Dermatology
(Inside the Scripps/XIMED Building)
9850 Genesee Avenue, Suite 460
La Jolla, California 92037
Phone: 858-866-9969
Fax: 858-362-8803
View Our Gallery
Skin Cancer Removal at Our La Jolla Practice
Despite the fact that the dangers of sun exposure are now widely known, skin cancer is still on the rise. While we are fortunate to live in a place where there is plenty of sunshine to go around, but if we fail to protect our skin from the sun when we are outdoors, the risks of developing skin cancer are dramatically heightened. Fortunately, with early detection and some advanced technology, we are able to perform skin cancer removal surgery at our La Jolla practice with a very high rate of success.
Types of Skin Cancer
There are three major classifications of skin cancer. Recognizing the potential signs of each of these types is crucial to early detection. The skin cancer removal techniques in use at our La Jolla practice are highly effective, but the only patients who can benefit from them are those who recognize the development of a cancerous spot and bring it to a physician’s attention.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
The most common type of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), can take many forms and grows very slowly, rarely metastasizing. However, it will cause extensive damage to skin tissue over time, if left untreated, so early detection and prompt treatment are recommended. BCC tumors usually appear in places that receive frequent sun exposure, such as the face, arms, and hands.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Far less common than BCC, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is usually found in very fair-skinned patients who have had a good deal of sun exposure over a long period of time. It is also most commonly found in areas that are regularly exposed to the sun, although they can potentially appear anywhere on the body.
Melanoma
The rarest but most dangerous form of skin cancer is melanoma. Because it grows and spreads quickly, early detection is crucial to successful skin cancer removal. Melanoma usually develops in an existing mole or appears as a new mole.
Recognizing Skin Cancer
The key to recognizing the signs of skin cancer is to know your own skin. A BCC tumor is rarely discolored and can appear as a hard, shiny bump, a recurring sore, a waxy-looking scar, or a patch of reddened, irritated skin. SCC is easier to identify, almost always appearing as an inflamed area of skin with a crusty or scaly covering. For signs of melanoma, it is important to take notice of any moles that suddenly appear or change in appearance, especially if they are large, have irregular edges, or are uneven in color. When in doubt, it is always best to visit a dermatologist to determine whether a skin problem is cancerous or benign. Skin cancer removal is always easiest to accomplish when the condition is recognized at an early stage.
Because melanoma tends to develop in pre-existing or new moles, it is crucial to perform regular self-examinations to check for changing or newly formed moles. A comprehensive self-check can be performed by following the ABCDs of melanoma detection:
Asymmetry: Melanoma lesions typically have uneven and unmatching halves.
Border: Melanoma lesions often have irregular, blurred, or ambiguous borders.
Color: Melanoma typically consists of more than one color.
Diameter: Melanomas are normally larger than 6 mm in diameter, but they can often be smaller. Check for moles that are unlike other moles on your body.
Skin Cancer Removal
The removal of skin cancer is generally achieved through surgical excision. A specialized technique, known as Mohs micrographic surgery, allows for total skin cancer removal in 97 to 99 percent of cases, with minimal damage to surrounding tissue. Torrey Pines Dermatology is one of the few San Diego-area practices to offer this technique. Learn more about Mohs micrographic surgery.
Contact Our Practice
To learn more about detection and treatment of skin cancer or advanced skin cancer removal techniques, contact our La Jolla practice.