Dysplastic Nevi (Atypical Moles) Melanocytes are cells that produce skin pigment or color. Sometimes, these cells clump together and form what are known as moles or nevi. The majority of people have a minimum of ten moles located on their bodies. Moles can be classified as either common or abnormal. Common moles will all be the same color. They can be brown, black,…
Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation Ultraviolet, or UV for short, radiation is invisible rays emitted from the sun. Scientifically speaking, ultraviolet radiation is defined as a form of electromagnetic radiation, the term used for any energy that moves at the speed of light. Ultraviolet rays are measured in waves and given a specific wavelength. Ironically, with smaller ultraviolet wavelengths, there is more…
Melanocytes are cells that produce dark skin pigment known as melanin. Melanin is what gives your skin color. At times, melanocytes may clump into a group forming a nevus (plural nevi) or mole. Nevi can be classified as either common or abnormal (atypical) moles. Moles (Nevi) versus Melanoma A nevus is a non-cancerous (benign) mole. Moles are generally not congenital (present at…
Treating Sunburns The skin is the body’s largest organ and one of body’s the most sensitive organs. Therefore, when you get a sunburn, it can be very painful. There are several ways to treat a sunburn. However, the treatments at best will only minimize the pain. Find out how you can treat your sunburn. The Two Degrees of Sunburns There…
Skin cancer does not discriminate. Regardless of your race, gender or age, everyone is at risk for developing skin cancer. There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma. Each year more than two million people in the United States are diagnosed with one of the three types of skin cancer. There are certain factors that…
Laser Therapy for the Treatment of Skin Cancer Laser therapy treatment can be used to remove cancer cells or precancerous cells from the skin. It can also be used to relieve some of the symptoms of skin cancer and other forms of cancer. Most often, though, specialists use laser therapy to treat cancers on the surface of the body or…
If you have been diagnosed with melanoma, then you are probably asking yourself “what next?” Even though your doctor may have tried to explain it to you, he probably used medical terms and a bunch of technical words. You probably still do not have a clear idea of what is to be expected once you start treatment. To better understand,…
Five Types of Melanoma Treatment There are different types of treatment available for patients with melanoma. Standard treatments are those currently used by dermatologists today. There are also treatments that are being tested in clinical trials. A clinical trial is a treatment done by a research study meant to help current treatments or obtain information on new treatments. If a…
Mohs surgery is a specialized type of surgery utilized for the treatment of certain types of skin cancers. Considered a state of the art technique, it boasts the best rate of cure in complicated cases of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. Advantages of Mohs surgery include two factors. The first advantage is that, with this procedure, the dermatologist only takes…
Treatment Options by Stages for Melanoma There are different types of treatments available for patients with melanoma. Some treatments are standard (those currently being used), and some are being tested in clinical trials. A clinical trial is a research study meant to either obtain information on new treatments, or to improve on current treatments. Some clinical trials are only open…
Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. Once your dermatologist detects melanoma, other tests are necessary to find out if cancer cells have spread either to other parts of the body or within the skin. Find out about the staging process, procedures and tests used in this process, and the ways melanoma spread in the body. The Staging…
Skin Cancer Surgery Risks and Safety Information Skin cancer diagnoses can involve several treatment options, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and surgery. Upon consultation with your doctor, you will mutually agree on a course of action for your situation. If you decide on surgery, your surgeon will thoroughly explain the procedure and its effect on your physical appearance and overall…
Skin cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the skin. The body’s largest organ is the skin. It protects us against infection, injury, sunlight, and heat. It also helps control our body temperature and stores water, fat and Vitamin D. The skin has two main layers: the epidermis and the dermis. The dermis…
Squamous cell carcinoma, also known as SCC, is a very common type of skin cancer, second only to basal cell carcinoma. Approximately 700,000 new incidences of squamous cell carcinoma are diagnosed every year in America causing approximately 2,500 deaths. Find out what you can do to protect yourself from this form of skin cancer. What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma? This…
Types and Stages of Melanoma Melanoma is the most serious and deadly form of skin cancer, but it is not as common as other types. However, the incidence of melanoma continues to rise in the United States population. The risks for melanoma increase as we age, but it is often seen in younger people. There are four main kinds of…
Melanoma forms when malignant cancer cells form in the cells that color the skin (called melanocytes). These melanocyte skin cells make melanin, which is the pigment that gives skin its natural color. Melanocytes are found in the lower part of the top layer of skin, or epidermis. Sun exposure causes these cells to produce more pigment which is why the…
Melanoma is the most serious form of all skin cancers. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (ADD), one American succumbs to advanced melanoma every hour. The incidence of melanoma occurring among U.S. citizens continues to increase due to the use of tanning equipment such as beds and face lamps. What is the incidence of melanoma? While this type of…
Many people have moles on their bodies. It may be difficult for you to tell the difference between a common mole and a concerning mole. Dysplastic nevi are atypical moles that have a greater chance of becoming skin cancer. The medical term “nevi” is the plural form of “nevus”, and a nevus is another name for a mole. Find out…
Accounting for greater than 90% of all skin cancers occurring among Americans, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most prevalent type. While it rarely metastasizes (spreads) to other sites in the body, BCC may cause damage to surrounding tissues. Find out about the warning signs of BCC, the causes of BCC, risk factors for BCC, and BCC prevention measures. Generalized…