Skin Cancer

What is skin cancer?

Skin cancer develops when cells in your skin grow rapidly and out of control. Unrepaired DNA damage from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays is the primary cause of skin cancer. This damage triggers mutations that cause the cells to multiply and form cancerous tumors. 

Ramon Vazquez Jr. provides cutting-edge treatment for various types of skin cancer, including melanoma, the most dangerous and deadly form of the disease. 

What are the types of skin cancer?

The main types of skin cancer include:

Basal cell carcinoma 

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) begins in the basal cells of your skin’s outermost layer (epidermis). About 4 million Americans get diagnosed with BCC every year, making it the most common form of skin cancer. BCC may appear as a pearly or waxy bump or a flat, scar-like lesion.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second-most common type. SCC affects the squamous cells in your skin and may look like a wart or rough, scaly patch on your skin. You can develop SCC in a scar, wound, or another area of injured skin. 

Melanoma

Melanoma affects the skin cells that produce melanin, which gives your skin its color. Of the three most common forms of skin cancer, melanoma is the most dangerous. But melanoma is treatable, especially when you catch it early.

What are my treatment options for skin cancer?

Ramon Vazquez Jr. stays current on the latest techniques for skin cancer treatment and provides a variety of services to help a broad range of people. First, he carefully examines your skin and reviews your medical history. He may remove a tissue sample for laboratory testing (biopsy). Then, he discusses your best options for skin cancer treatment. 

Depending on the type, size, location, and depth of the skin cancer growth, treatment may include:

• Freezing (cryosurgery)
• Cutting out the abnormal tissue (excisional surgery)
• Removing small layers of skin one at a time until no cancer remains (Mohs surgery)

Nonsurgical treatments for skin cancer include immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Your doctor may recommend one or more of these methods if the cancer spreads to other areas of your body or if surgery can’t remove the cancer completely. 

Call the office of Ramon Vazquez, MD, PA, or book an appointment online today to learn more about your options for skin cancer treatments.