Dr. Stone is one of a select group of dermatologists in the U.S. performing Mohs Micrographic Surgery for the treatment of skin cancer, and is a member of the American Society for Mohs Surgery, contact us at (816) 364-1507 or (816) 792-2255 or click here to view the Mohs Patient Information Brochure or visit the American Society for Mohs Surgery website.
Mohs
The advanced microsurgical technology allows us to precisely identify and remove the affected area, down to the roots, minimizing damage to the surrounding healthy tissues. The accuracy of this procedure increases the odds of recovery and minimizes the chance of the recurrence of skin cancer.
Skin Cancer
Early detection is important for the early diagnosis of skin cancer. Therefore, it is important to visit your dermatologist regularly to help detect changes in moles or other suspicious lesions.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): The most common cancer in humans, it develops in more than 1 million people every year in the United States alone. About 80% of all skin cancers are BCC, a cancer that develops in the basal cells - skin cells located in the lowest layer of the epidermis. BCC can take several forms: a shiny translucent or pearly nodule, a sore that continuously heals and then re-opens, a pink slightly elevated growth, reddish irritated patches of skin, or a waxy scar. Most BCC's appear on skin with a history of exposure to the sun, such as the face, ears, scalp, and upper trunk. These tumors tend to grow slowly and can take years to reach ˝ inch in size. While these tumors very rarely metastasize (cancer spreads to other parts of the body), early diagnosis and treatment is encouraged to prevent extensive damage to surrounding tissue.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): About 16% of diagnosed skin cancers are SCC. This cancer begins in the squamous cells, which are found in the upper layer of the epidermis. About 200,000 cases are diagnosed ever year. SCC tends to develop in fair-skinned middle-aged and elderly people who have had long-term sun exposure, and most often appears as a crusted or scaly area of skin with a red inflamed base that resembles a growing tumor, non-healing ulcer, or crusted-over patch of skin. Most commonly found on sun-exposed areas of the body, it can develop anywhere, including the inside of the mouth and the genitalia. SCC may arise from actinic keratoses, which are dry, scaly lesions that may be skin-colored, reddish-brown or yellowish-black. SCC requires early treatment to prevent metastasis (spreading).
Melanoma: Accounting for about 4% of all diagnosed skin cancers, melanoma begins in the melanocytes, cells within the epidermis that give skin its color. Melanoma has been coined “the most lethal form of skin cancer” because it can rapidly spread to the lymph system and internal organs. In the United States alone, approximately one person dies from melanoma every hour. Older Caucasian men have the highest mortality rate. With early detection and proper treatment, the cure rate for melanoma is about 95%. Once its spreads, the prognosis is poor. Melanoma most often develops in a pre-existing mole or looks like a new mole, which is why it is important for people to know what their moles look like and be able to detect changes to existing moles and spot new moles.
Other non-melanoma skin cancers: All other skin cancers combined account for less than 1% of diagnosed cases. These are classified as non-melanoma skin cancers and include Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans, Paget’s disease and Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma.
Studies have found that sunburns and excessive sun exposure may increase a person's risk for the disease. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends:
- Staying out of the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Never go to tanning booths.
- Wear sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours while exercising or sweating.
- Wear a hat and sunglasses while outdoors.
Know Your ABCD's
Recognize the warning signs of malignant melanoma by using this easy-to-remember guide:
- A stands for asymmetry. Beware of moles where one half doesn't match the other half in shape.
- B stands for border. Watch for moles with ragged, blurred or irregular borders or edges.
- C stands for color. Look for uneven coloration, more than one color, or moles with unusual colors.
- D stands for diameter. Give special attention to moles with a diameter larger than the size of a pencil eraser.
For more information about skin cancer visit www.skincarephysicians.com.
