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Skin Cancer Specialist

Medical & Aesthetic Dermatology Our Services Skin Cancer

Medical & Aesthetic Dermatology

Board Certified Dermatologist located in Columbia, MD

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, with about 9,500 new cases diagnosed each day. Cheryl Bansal, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, and the team at Medical & Aesthetic Dermatology in Columbia, Maryland provide comprehensive diagnostics and state-of-the-art treatments for all types of skin cancer. The team focuses on helping you prevent skin cancer from occurring or recurring. Insurance usually covers treatments. Since prevention is your best defense, call the office to schedule a head-to-toe skin-cancer screening or book an appointment online today.

Skin Cancer Q & A

What is skin cancer?

When skin cells grow abnormally in an area, it can lead to skin cancer. Typically, uncontrolled cell growth is usually the result of ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds. These ultraviolet rays can trigger mutations that lead cells to multiply out of control and develop a tumor that turns into skin cancer.

Skin cancer affects people of all skin colors and races, but if you have fair skin or sunburn easily, you have a higher risk of developing skin cancer.

What are the different types of skin cancer?

The most common type of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma (BCC) that typically affects people with lighter skin colors. Basal cell carcinoma looks like a flesh-colored bump or pinkish patch of skin and is common after years of sun exposure to your face, head, or neck.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the next most common type of skin cancer and looks like a red bump, a scaly patch, or a sore won’t heal completely. Squamous cell carcinomas are common on your face, neck, ears, arms, or chest.

The deadliest type of skin cancer is melanoma. Melanoma sometimes appears as a dark spot on your skin or develops in an existing mole. With all types of skin cancer, early detection is essential for preventing the spread of cancer to other areas of your body.

What are my treatment options for skin cancer?

You have different treatment options depending on the type of skin cancer you have. Squamous cell carcinomas, when caught early, are highly treatable and curable with several different types of surgical options, including:

  • Mohs
  • Excisional
  • Electrosurgery
  • Cryosurgery
  • Radiation therapy
  • Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
  • Topical medications

Dr. Bansal often uses PDT to treat cancers on your face, back, neck, or just about anywhere. Photodynamic therapy uses a photosensitizer and a specific type of light. When the photosensitizers are exposed to this wavelength of light, the reaction produces a type of oxygen that destroys cells.

Dr. Bansal uses a precise wavelength of light to target different depths of tissue and different areas of your body so she can treat the cancerous cells on your skin. PDT has several advantages as a skin-cancer treatment, including:

  • No long-term side effects
  • Less invasive than surgery
  • Precise targeting of skin-cancer cells
  • Little or no scarring
  • Can prevent cancer from coming back
  • Usually covered by insurance

To learn how to prevent skin cancer, or for an expert evaluation of areas of concern, call the office or schedule a consultation online today.

 

Conditions & Treatments