About Skin Cancer In Pittsburgh, PA
Skin cancer can be a frightening diagnosis. Anyone who spends time out in the sun is at risk of skin cancer. The effects of sun damage are cumulative too, so your risk of skin cancer increases as you get older.
When To See a Skin Cancer Specialist
You should seek out the expertise of a skin cancer specialist if you notice:
- Scaly patches of skin that don’t resolve
- A mole with a diameter greater than 6 mm
- A mole with an irregular, ragged border
- A mole that is asymmetrical
- A mole that itches or bleeds
- A mole that has changed in size, color, or shape
- A mole that has recurred after previous removal
You should also seek out a skin cancer specialist if you:
- Have fair skin
- Burn easily
- Spend an extended period in the sun
- Have a family history of skin cancer
Treatment of Skin Cancer
The dermatologist at Horvath Dermatology Associates will first do a biopsy of the tissue or mole, to determine if it is precancerous or cancerous. Treatment for skin cancer may include:
- Cryosurgery, which uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the area
- Curettage and desiccation, which uses implements to scrape the area, followed by electric current to kill cancerous cells
- Mohs micrographic surgery, which removes cancerous tissue layer-by-layer, with each layer examined under a microscope
- Radiation therapy, which kills cancerous cells
- Surgical excision, which removes the cancerous tissue completely
- Medicated topical creams, which improve your body’s own cancer-fighting properties
- Chemotherapy, which can be combined with surgery and radiation for more serious skin cancer cases
Prevention of Skin Cancer
Remember that you can do a lot to help prevent skin cancer. Always:
- Apply a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 daily
- Apply a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 if you are outside for a long period
- Avoid direct sunlight between the hours of 10 AM to 4 PM, when UV rays are the most harmful
- Wear protective clothing, including a hat and sunglasses