Skin Cancer
Skin cancer treatments and PDT Therapy in High Point, NC
There are a number of approaches to treat skin cancer. Here at Central Carolina Dermatology Clinic Inc, in High Point, NC we offer Photodynamic Therapy (PDT or Blue Light Therapy), which is considered the most technologically advanced treatment. For more information on what PDT therapy is and how it can cure skin cancer, please visit this link.
For more Information, please click on the following link for information from the American Academy of Dermatology's pamphlet on skin cancer.
Types of skin cancer
- Actinic Keratosis
AK's usually occur on skin parts that are largerly exposed to the sun. They usually look like small crusty, scaly, or crumbly bumps or horns. Early on, they may appear and then fade away. Sometimes they are more easily detected by feeling them than by sight.
- Basal Cell Carcinoma
This is one of the most common skin cancer type, mainly caused by long-term sun exposure. Frequently, two or more features are present in one tumor. In addition, basal cell carcinoma sometimes resembles non-cancerous skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer following basal cell carcinoma. They usually appear as thick, rough, scaly patches that may bleed easily. They often look like warts and sometimes appear as open sores. The skin around the site may exhibit signs of wrinkling, pigment changes, and loss of elasticity.
- Melanoma
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. Even so, if diagnosed and removed while it is still thin and limited to the outermost skin layer, it is almost 100% curable. Once the cancer advances and spreads to other parts of the body, it is hard to treat and can be deadly