Skin Cancer Specialist

What causes skin cancer?

Skin cancer develops when due to mutations in the skin cells. These mutations cause excess skin to grow out of control and create lumps, bumps, moles, or lesions. Anyone can develop skin cancer, but you’re more likely if you have:

• Fair skin
• A history of bad sunburns
• A family history of skin cancer
• Moles
• Exposure to high altitudes or radiation

Your risk for skin cancer also increases if you have a weakened immune system or precancerous skin lesions, called actinic keratoses.

What does skin cancer look like?

Skin cancer can take many forms, depending on the type. Signs to watch out for include:

• Moles or freckles with irregular borders
• Red, inflamed, or itchy lumps and bumps
• Dry or scaly patches of skin

If you have a suspicious spot, make an appointment at Lotus Dermatology and report recent changes in your skin details during your appointment. A mole or lump that grows or changes shape might indicate a problem.

How is skin cancer treated?

The Lotus Dermatology team offers the most up-to-date, effective skin cancer treatments. Your dermatologist creates a customized plan by recommending the best options for you, including:

Mohs micrographic surgery

Dr. U. Patel is a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon. The Mohs method is a highly specialized approach that involves removing skin cancer cells using detailed mapping techniques. This innovation allows him to remove layers of skin one at a time while neither disrupting your healthy skin nor leaving any traces of cancer cells behind.

Surgical excision

Certain types of cancer, like melanoma or atypical moles, require surgical excision. During this short procedure, your physician removes the affected area along with a margin of your healthy skin. You have stitches to close the wound, and the skin heals naturally.

Topical treatments

Certain ointments, creams, or topical solutions, also called chemotherapy creams, can help to remove cancerous lesions and prevent cancer cells from dividing and growing. Other topical creams may help stimulate your immune system to fight off the cancer cells.

To learn more about skin cancer treatment at Lotus Dermatology, click to book an appointment or call the office today.