It’s a new year and that means it’s time to schedule your annual skin cancer check. While these appointments are generally quick and easy, you may be wondering how dermatologists diagnose skin cancer and what options there are for skin cancer treatment in Reston, VA. At Integrated Dermatology, rest assured that if you do have a skin cancer diagnosis, we have the expertise to provide the treatment options that are best for you.
Your skin cancer exam will begin with a visual inspection of your skin. Your dermatologist will examine moles, lesions, and other abnormalities looking for irregularities in size, shape, color, and texture. If they find something suspicious, they will perform a biopsy which involves removing a small tissue sample for testing.
There are a variety of options available for skin cancer treatment in Reston depending on skin cancer diagnosis, location, and size.
Due to daily exposure to the sun, skin cancer often occurs on the face, head, or neck. If that’s the case, your doctor is likely to recommend Mohs surgery for treatment. This precise technique allows for all skin cancer cells to be removed and preserves as much healthy tissue as possible. Mohs surgery has a success rate of up to 99%.
For skin cancer on other areas of your body, your doctor may choose excisional surgery. This treatment removes the cancerous cells, as well as a margin of healthy tissue to ensure all cancer cells are eliminated.
For superficial skin cancer like basal cell carcinoma, cryotherapy may be used to freeze and eliminate abnormal cells. Topical medications may also be used for non-melanoma skin cancers.
Radiation therapy may be used on areas that are difficult to remove with surgery or if the skin tumor is very large.
The best way to avoid needing skin cancer treatment in Reston is with the use of daily sunscreen. Regular self-examinations and annual skin exams with a dermatologist are crucial to catching potential skin cancer early, increasing the chances of successful treatment.
If it’s been over a year since your last skin exam or if you have a history of skin cancer, call our office today at 703-437-7744 to schedule an appointment with our dermatology team!
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