{"id":235,"date":"2022-09-28T15:10:29","date_gmt":"2022-09-28T15:10:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/borealisderm.com\/?p=235"},"modified":"2026-10-13T11:12:27","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T15:12:27","slug":"skin-cancers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/borealisderm.com\/pa\/medical-dermatology\/skin-cancers\/","title":{"rendered":"Skin Cancers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2190 Back to Medical Dermatology<\/a><\/p>\n

Skin cancer is not one disease. Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma behave differently and require different treatment decisions.<\/p>\n

Once pathology establishes the diagnosis, the next step is choosing treatment based on cancer type, size, depth, location, and overall health, then building the appropriate surveillance plan.<\/p>\n

Types of Skin Cancer and Treatment Options<\/h2>\n

Basal cell carcinoma<\/h3>\n

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, and skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. It often appears as a pearly bump, nonhealing sore, scar-like patch, or recurrently bleeding spot. It usually grows locally and rarely spreads to distant sites, but untreated tumors can become destructive.<\/p>\n

Different types of basal cell carcinoma can be treated in different ways, including surgical excision, Mohs surgery, scrape-and-burn treatment (curettage and electrodesiccation), topical medications, and light-based treatments in selected cases.<\/p>\n

Squamous cell carcinoma<\/h3>\n

Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as a scaly or crusted bump, tender growth, thickened plaque, or nonhealing ulcer. Some tumors have a meaningful risk of recurrence or spread, especially when high-risk features are present.<\/p>\n

Melanoma<\/h3>\n

Melanoma can arise in a preexisting mole or appear as a new pigmented or occasionally nonpigmented lesion. Early diagnosis is critical because melanoma can spread beyond the skin.<\/p>\n

When should I be evaluated?<\/h3>\n

Make an appointment for a new or changing growth, a sore that does not heal, unexplained bleeding, rapid growth, or a mole with concerning ABCDE features.<\/p>\n

Diagnosis typically requires examination and, when appropriate, biopsy.<\/p>\n

Mohs surgery and skin cancer treatment<\/h3>\n

Borealis Dermatology offers Mohs micrographic surgery<\/a> for appropriate skin cancers on a scheduled basis. Your dermatologist will determine whether Mohs, standard excision, another treatment, or referral is best for your diagnosis.<\/p>\n

Visit our skin cancer treatment page in Surgical and Procedural Dermatology<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n

Once a skin cancer is diagnosed, review Skin Cancer Treatments<\/a> for excision, Mohs surgery and other procedural options.<\/p>\n

Related reading from Borealis<\/h3>\n

Explore these articles for more background and questions to discuss at your visit.<\/p>\n