Understanding Skin Cancer

Most skin cancers are found either by patients or during annual skin check exams by doctors. If there are concerns about a suspicious spot, a skin sample is tested. Sometimes, the entire area is removed and sent to be examined by a pathologist to determine if it’s cancer or not. If cancer is confirmed, the doctor may remove more tissue around the area to ensure the complete removal of cancer cells. Further treatment from medical or radiation oncologists will be discussed if necessary.

There are two primary categories of skin cancer — melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers. Melanoma is the least common type of skin cancer but tends to spread quickly. Knowing what type of skin cancer you have is important because it will affect your treatment options and the timing of the treatments.

The oncologist will review the information about the size of the skin cancer that was removed as well as the type and how deep it had grown into the top layer of skin. They may need some additional information, such as a lymph node biopsy or images, to see if it’s spread to other areas of the body. Based on this information, the oncologist will determine the extent (stage) of the disease to plan the best treatment for you. Staging is a process to learn the tumor size, how deep it has grown under the top layer of skin, and whether it has spread.

There are several ways to approach skin cancer treatment, and you might not need all the treatment types described here. Non-melanoma skin cancer can often be removed, and that’s all that’s necessary, especially if caught early. However, if it has progressed or melanoma is present, additional treatments like radiation therapy and topical chemotherapy may be needed to stop the growth of cancer and hopefully avoid future cancers from developing. What’s right for you will be determined by the oncologist, who will work together with the dermatologist or primary care doctor.

Certain factors can put you at a higher risk of developing a type of skin cancer. Living in Florida, the sun is likely a big part of your life. While the bright rays may be good for your mood, excess UV light exposure could lead to problems down the road. The good news is that the more you know about skin cancer risks, the easier it can be to reduce your risk–or at least detect cancer early when it’s easier to treat. See what you can do.

Melanoma typically presents as a new spot or a change in an existing mole's shape, size, or color. But, it can also appear on seemingly normal skin, so it’s important to pay close attention to your moles, freckles, and birthmarks by checking your skin monthly to help catch something before it becomes problematic. Being aware of the warning signs of skin cancer and knowing when to see a doctor to have a potential problem looked at can help with early detection and more effective skin cancer treatment.