Skin cancer, or carcinoma, is a common problem. In many cases, it’s successfully treated especially if caught early. It can also be preventable. Our dermatologists Dr. W. Edward Collins, and Dr. Janna Nunez-Gussman in Beaumont, TX can tell you more.

Causes of Carcinoma

Carcinoma can be caused by several factors, including:

• Excessive sun exposure
• Family history of carcinoma
• Exposure to toxic chemicals
• Underlying diseases including HIV/Aids

Types of Carcinoma

Carcinoma can affect any area of your body. Carcinoma of the skin is one of the most common types of carcinoma. There are three main types of skin carcinoma, which are:

• Squamous cell carcinoma, the most superficial type of skin cancer, affects the squamous cells
• Basal cell carcinoma affects deeper layers of tissue, where basal cells are located
• Melanoma, which is the most serious form of skin cancer and can be deadly

Prevention of Carcinoma

There are several effective ways to help prevent carcinoma caused by excessive sun exposure. You need to:

• Apply a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day
• Apply a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50 if you spend an extended period outside
• Try to avoid being out in the sun during the hours of 10 AM to 4 PM, when UV rays are the most harmful
• Perform a self-check of your skin regularly looking for abnormal, irregular, or large moles

How a Dermatologist Can Treat Carcinoma

A dermatologist may recommend several methods to diagnose and treat carcinoma, including:

• Cryosurgery, which involves using liquid nitrogen to freeze the lesion
• Curettage and desiccation, which involves using tools to scrape the cancerous tissue and apply electric current to kill any cancerous cells
• Mohs micrographic surgery, which involves removing cancerous tissue layer-by-layer and examining each layer under a microscope
• Radiation therapy, which kills cancerous cells
• Surgical excision, which cuts out the tumor completely
• Chemotherapy, which may be used in combination with surgery and radiation therapy to treat melanoma

Want To Know More?

To learn more about the signs, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of carcinoma, call Dr. W. Edward Collins, and Dr. Janna Nunez-Gussman at W. Edward Collins, M.D., P.A. in Beaumont, TX. You can reach them in the office by calling (409) 835-1333, so call today.