Skin Cancer

Skin cancers can appear in many different shapes, sizes and colors, and the same type of cancer can appear differently on different people. There are, however, a few common characteristics that may indicate potential malignancy.

By far, the most common — and most treatable — kinds of skin cancer are basal and squamous cell cancers. Although they can develop anywhere on the body, they usually form on skin that is frequently exposed to the sun (face, ears, head, neck and arms).

Basal and squamous cell cancers may appear as the following:

• Flat, firm, pale or yellow areas, similar to a scar
• Raised reddish patches that might be itchy
• Raised growths or lumps, sometimes with a lower area in the center
• Rough or scaly red patches that may crust or bleed
• Small translucent or shiny bumps, which might have blue, brown, black, pink, pearly or red areas
• Open sores that don’t heal, or that heal and then come back
• Wart-like growths

Melanoma is much less common than basal and squamous cell skin cancers, but it is more likely to grow and spread. It’s also harder to treat when not caught early. A good rule for recognizing potential melanoma growths is the ABCDE rule:

• Asymmetry: One half is unlike the other half
• Borders: Irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border
• Color: Varied from one area to another
• Diameter: 6mm or larger — the size of a pencil eraser
• Evolution: Looks different from other growths on your skin, or is changing in size, color or shape

Following a diagnosis and removal of skin cancer, our WakeMed Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery team can repair the wound to leave the patient with an aesthetically acceptable appearance.

Conditions

• Basal cell carcinoma
• Melanomas
• Mohs defects
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Dermoid cysts (cancerous and benign)

Treatments

• Closure of Mohs defects
• Cryosurgery
• Curettage and electrodesiccation
• Facial skin cancer reconstruction
• Mohs micrographic surgery
• Simple excision
• Skin cancer surgery