Phone - (571) 529-5600
Email - info@aestheticdermandmohs.com
Our board-certified dermatologists and expertly trained advance practice providers accurately, thoroughly, and effectively screen, detect, diagnose, and treat all forms of skin cancer.
Whether you have a personal or family history of skin cancer or are just interested in learning about skin cancer, we are available to provide you with evidence-based and up-to-date information, guidance, and treatments.
Skin cancer is the rapid and uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the outermost skin layer, the epidermis. Skin cancer is most commonly caused by DNA mutations from sun exposure, but there are other, less-common causes such as viruses. These mutations cause the skin cells to rapidly multiply and form skin tumors. The most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma, but there are many different types of less common skin cancers.
Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in the United States, but it is fortunately one of the most treatable forms of cancer. Skin cancer is more commonly diagnosed on light skin types and on individuals with a family history of skin cancer. If you have had a skin cancer previously, you are more likely to develop a subsequent skin cancer in the future. If you have a personal or family history of skin cancer or are individually at high risk for the develop of skin cancer, we recommend frequent skin cancer screening with a trained dermatology healthcare provider.
The appearance of skin cancer is highly variable between skin cancer types and individual skin types. Sometimes skin cancers can appear as a "pimple that doesn't go away" or as a "new, brown or black spot," but there are many different presentations of skin cancer. If you have a concern for skin cancer, we highly recommend scheduling an appointment with a trained dermatology healthcare provider. You can view skin cancer pictures on the Skin Cancer Foundation website.
Skin cancer is typically diagnosed by a trained dermatology healthcare provider with a simple, in-office diagnostic skin biopsy procedure. Skin biopsies are sent to a laboratory and are typically interpreted by specialized pathologists (dermatopathologists). Biopsy reports are usually available within 1 week of your procedure. Other less invasive diagnostic techniques such as dermoscopy and confocal microscopy are becoming increasingly common ways of diagnosing skin cancer and may be available in your area.
For more information about skin cancer, please visit the Skin Cancer Foundation website.
