One of the most common forms of cancer is skin cancer affecting almost one half million people each year. Although skin cancer can occur anywhere on the body it is most common in the head and neck region. There are various types of skin cancer with the most common forms being basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

All skin cancers will grow and become problematic unless treated. Most skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas and these are the least aggressive. Basal cell carcinomas seldom spread to other areas of the body or are they life threatening. Squamous cell carcinomas are less common and have more potential to spread to lymph glands and internal organs.

The least common skin cancer is melanoma which if treated early can be cured. Melanoma however, is the least predictable of these skin cancers and can spread to other sites of the body at an early stage. The basic treatment for most skin cancers is surgical excision or removal. Other treatments such as electrodessication and curettage or ablation with liquid nitrogen may be quite successful for early, basal cell carcinomas. Squamous cell carcinomas need a wider skin removal for primary treatment. Malignant melanomas need the widest removal for primary treatment. The various options for treatment will be discussed during an office consultation.