Skin Cancer Specialist
Premier Dermatology Partners®
Dermatologists located in Boynton Beach, FL
At Premier Dermatology Partners®, Dr. Joshua Berlin and his staff are experts when it comes to skin cancer and the many effective treatment options that are available. Dr. Berlin, a board certified dermatologist who trained at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic Foundation, offers comprehensive treatment for cancers like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma at his offices in Boynton Beach, Florida and Boca Raton, Florida. Dr. Berlin will help patients understand what they’re up against when it comes to skin cancer, and he will be with them every step of the way in their treatment journey.
Skin Cancer Q & A
What are the most common types of skin cancer?
Melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma are the three most common types of skin cancer. Although there are other types, most are not diagnosed as frequently as the top three.
- Melanoma is the most deadly of all the skin cancers. Early detection, however, can reduce the risk of mortality and dramatically improve a person's chances of survival.
- Basal cell carcinoma grows very slowly and is easily treated if caught early enough.
- Squamous cell cancer is another extremely common form of skin cancer and often is the result of long-term exposure to direct sunlight. This type of skin cancer rarely attacks other areas of the body and is easily treated.
How is skin cancer treated?
Skin cancer is treated in many different ways. Cancers that grow slowly and remain on the surface of the skin may be able to be successfully treated through cryosurgery and topical chemotherapy. Cancers that have grown or moved deeper into the tissues of the body may need to be surgically excised along with a portion of the surrounding tissues and lymph nodes. Cryosurgery uses frozen liquid nitrogen to freeze and remove cancerous lesions that appear on the skin. Curettage is used on tumors that appear on the surface of the skin. A curette is used to gradually scrape away the sections of the tumor. After the tumor is removed, the area is cauterized, further eliminating any other cancer cells that may be present.
Can skin cancer be prevented?
While skin cancer may not be able to be prevented, a person can dramatically reduce their risk of being diagnosed with the disease. Limiting the amount of time spent in direct sunlight and wearing appropriate levels of sunscreen can help to reduce a person's risk potential of developing squamous cell cancer. Living a healthy lifestyle that includes a well-balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient amounts of rest will also help to reduce the risk of most types of cancer. Eliminating tobacco products is also an excellent way to reduce the potential risk of skin cancer. Exposure to many of the carcinogens in cigarette smoke has been known to increase the risk of many different types of skin cancer.