Skin Cancer Information

Skin Cancer in Charlotte

Seeing new spots? It may be time to have your skin checked. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, estimated to occur during the lifetime of one in five Americans. If you have a new or changing spot on your skin, we encourage you to make an appointment for an evaluation. In almost all cases, the sooner we find a skin cancer, the easier it is to cure. Monthly self-examinations can also help you get to know your skin better – making any changes more obvious. Learn more below about the most common forms of skin cancer and possible warning signs & symptoms.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer. BCCs often appear on skin that has been repeatedly exposed to the sun (i.e.- face, scalp, ears, hands, neck) but may also occur elsewhere on the body. Slow-growing & highly-treatable, BCCs could cause further damage to surrounding skin if ignored for too long.

Basal Cell Carcinoma Signs & Symptoms:

spots that won’t completely heal
spots that heal but then come back
spots that bleed or itch frequently
weepy & crusty spots

Basal Cell Carcinoma Types:

Superficial BCC: flat, pink or red patch that grows outwardly on the skin; may have slightly raised borders & look shiny or scaly
Nodular BCC: pearly, white, pink or flesh-colored growth, often dome-shaped (or sometimes flat) with tiny visible blood vessels; may have a depressed center or ulceration
Sclerosing BCC: pale flesh-colored or white growth, often flat (or sometimes raised); may feel waxy or firm and could look like a scar or become depressed

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) typically shows up on skin that has had repeated sun exposure (i.e.- face, scalp, ears, hands, neck) but could occur elsewhere on the body. SCCs usually grow faster than BCCs, but are still considered highly-treatable. Damage to surrounding skin could progress quite rapidly if left untreated.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Signs & Symptoms:

spots that never seem to heal
spots that heal but then come back
spots that tend to bleed easily & often
rough, crusty or scaly spots

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Types: SCCs are usually persistent in nature & distinguishing between the types can be difficult.

SCC in-situ or Bowen’s Disease: red, pink scaly patch, usually flat or slightly-raised; generally grows slowly, but could become ulcerated
Keratoacanthoma: red, pink or flesh-colored growth that appears suddenly & then grows rapidly; has a central “plug” or indentation that may bleed

Malignant Melanoma

Malignant Melanoma (MM) is by far the most dangerous form of skin cancer with incidence rates growing year after year. If caught early, MM is highly-curable; however, prompt detection & surgical removal are essential. Those with fair skin and/or family history of melanoma are at a higher risk, but people of all skin types can be affected. MM is now the most common form of cancer in people age 25-29, with indoor tanning beds thought to be a contributing factor to this statistic. Repeated exposure to UV light is known to be a major cause of MM. Any time you are out in the sun, protect your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, applied every 2 hours – all year long.

Melanoma Signs & Symptoms: