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An estimated 3.6 million Americans are diagnosed each year with basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer. At Skin Cancer Specialists, minimally invasive procedures are available to eliminate skin cancer lesions in adults and children. Daniel Skinner, MD, and Grant Heinz, MD, specialize in advanced techniques like Mohs surgery to prevent basal cell carcinoma from spreading so you can fully recover. Call the Mesa, Arizona, office today to schedule a basal cell carcinoma evaluation.
Basal Cell Carcinoma Q&A
What is basal cell carcinoma?
Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that starts in the basal cells, which are responsible for producing new skin cells to replace those that die off.
A common cause of basal cell carcinoma is exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays over time. UV exposure causes mutations in the DNA of basal cells that make up the epidermis (outer layer) of your skin. Mutated cells divide and multiply rapidly, eventually forming a cancerous skin lesion.
Skin Cancer Specialists provide compassionate care for adults and children with basal cell carcinoma. The experienced physicians treat cancer with a high level of precision so it doesn’t spread to other parts of your body.
When should I seek a doctor for basal cell carcinoma?
Schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Skin Cancer Specialists if you notice changes in your skin that may relate to cancer. These changes may be visible on areas of your skin that receive sun exposure and can also occur on other parts of your body that don’t get much sun.
Basal cell carcinoma causes symptoms like:
Skin bump
A shiny, translucent bump on the surface of your skin that scabs or bleeds can be an indication of basal cell carcinoma. On white skin, the bump may appear pink or white. On darker skin, a bump might look glossy black or brown-colored.
Scaly patch
Basal cell carcinoma can cause flat patches of scaly skin with a raised edge. Patches can grow bigger over time and cover a large part of your skin.
The physicians examine the bump or lesion and may remove a skin sample for further testing in the on-site laboratory.
How is basal cell carcinoma treated?
Skin Cancer Specialists offer two minimally invasive techniques to remove basal cell carcinoma:
Excision surgery
Excision surgery describes the removal of cancerous lesions or tumors with a scalpel. The physicians also take a portion of healthy skin around the abnormal growth to ensure they treat all the cancer.
Mohs surgery
Mohs surgery involves the removal of tissue layer by layer until all cancer is gone. After taking each layer of skin, the physicians examine it under a microscope to ensure no cancerous cells remain.
Call Skin Cancer Specialists today to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for basal cell carcinoma or book an appointment online.