SEARCH:
  • Face and Neck Procedures
  • San Diego Medical Spa Body Procedures
  • Doctors
  • Before & After Photos
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • About
    • Meet the Team
    • Mitchel P. Goldman, MD
    • Kimberly J. Butterwick, MD
    • William F. Groff, DO
    • Sabrina G. Fabi, MD
    • Douglas C. Wu, MD, PhD
    • Monica Boen, MD
    • Jameson T. Loyal, MD, FAAD
    • Raheel Zubair, MD
    • Leysin Fletcher, PA-C
    • Farzaneh Momeni-Salami, MA
    • West Dermatology
    • Blog
  • Procedures
    • Injectables
      • Bellafill
      • Belotero
      • Botox
      • Daxxify
      • Dysport San Diego
      • Fat Grafting
      • Jeuveau
      • Juvéderm
      • Liquid Facelift
      • Liquid Rhinoplasty
      • Radiesse
      • Redensity RHA Filler
      • Restylane
      • RHA Dermal Fillers
      • Sculptra
      • Silhouette Instalift
      • Skinvive
      • Xeomin
    • Laser
      • *Take10 Years Off*
      • *TotalTat³™ Laser Tattoo Removal*
      • Accure Laser
      • Active / Deep FX
      • Affirm Multiplex
      • Blue Light Acne Treatments
      • Candela GentleMax
      • Clear & Brilliant
      • CoolTouch Varia
      • Excimer Laser
      • Fractional Resurfacing
      • Fraxel Dual
      • Fraxel Repair
      • Fraxel Restore
      • IPL Photofacial
      • Laser for Burns
      • Laser Hair Removal
      • Laser Tattoo Removal
      • M22 IPL
      • Photodynamic Therapy
      • Picosure
      • Picoway
      • PiQo4 Laser
      • Potenza RF Microneedling
      • Resurfx
      • RF Microneedling
      • Scar Treatment
      • Sciton Profile
      • Splendor X
      • UltraClear
      • UltraPulse
      • Vbeam Prima
      • Vbeam Perfecta
    • Body Sculpting
      • *Cool³ Body Sculpting*
      • Cellfina for Cellulite
      • CoolLipo
      • CoolSculpting Elite
      • CoolSculpting Elite for Men
      • CoolTone
      • Exilis
      • Facial Liposculpture
      • Kybella
      • Liposculpture / Liposuction
      • Microlipo
      • Qwo
      • Resonic by Soliton
      • Sofwave
      • Skin Tightening
      • Thermage
      • ThermiSculpt³
      • ThermiTight
      • ThermiVa Vaginal Rejuvenation
      • Ultherapy
    • Veins
      • CoolTouch Varia
      • CoolTouch CTEV
      • Laser Vein Removal
      • Phlebectomy
      • Sclerotherapy
    • Aesthetics
      • *Skincare Trifecta*
      • Chemical Peels
      • Dermaplaning
      • Dermasweep
      • Facials
      • Hydrafacial
      • JetPeel
      • Latisse
      • Microdermabrasion
      • SaltFacial
      • Skincare
        • Find Your Perfect Skincare Match
      • UPNEEQ
      • VI Peel
    • Not Sure?
      We can create a customized treatment plan just for you! Schedule your complimentary consultation online today.
  • Areas of Interest
    • Age group
      • Teens
      • In Your 20’s
      • In Your 30’s
      • In Your 40’s
      • In Your 50’s
      • In Your 60’s
    • Skin type
      • African American Skin
      • Aging Skin
      • Asian Skin
      • Ethnic Skin
      • Hispanic / Latin
      • Men’s Skin
      • Sensitive Skin
    • Anti-aging
      • Chest Rejuvenation
      • Deep Wrinkles
      • Eyelash & Eyebrow Enhancement
      • Facial Veins
      • Fine Lines & Wrinkles
      • Hair Removal
      • Hand Rejuvenation
      • Lip Fillers
      • Lip Lines (Smoker Lines)
      • Skin Laxity & Volume Loss
      • Skin Texture
      • Spider & Varicose Veins
      • Sun Damage & Brown Spots
    • General conditions
      • Acne
      • Acne Scars / General Scars
      • Birthmarks
      • Excessive Sweating
      • Freckles, Birthmarks and Port Stains
      • Gummy Smile
      • Melasma
      • Nevus of Ota
      • Pearly Penile Papules (PPP)
      • Precancerous Lesions
      • Rosacea / Broken Blood Vessels
      • Seborrheic Keratosis
      • Skin Cancer
    • Body shaping
      • Abdomen & Flank Contouring
      • Arm Contouring
      • Buttock Enhancements
      • Cellulite Reduction
      • Chin Contouring
      • Crepey Arm Skin
      • Excess Fat
      • Fat Reducing
      • Neck Rejuvenation
        • Sagging Skin
      • Thigh Contouring
    • Just Want to Talk?
      We can create a customized treatment plan just for you! Schedule your complimentary consultation online today.
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
    • Webinar Series
  • Research
  • Skincare Store
    • Login or Create an Account
    • Get Your Customized Skincare Regimen
  • Contact
Search
0
858.943.2113 BOOK ONLINE
  • BOOK ONLINE
  • Phone
  • Mail
  • Location
  • 0
  • Search
SEARCH:
  • Face and Neck Procedures
  • San Diego Medical Spa Body Procedures
  • Doctors
  • Before & After Photos
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • About
    • Meet the Team
    • Mitchel P. Goldman, MD
    • Kimberly J. Butterwick, MD
    • William F. Groff, DO
    • Sabrina G. Fabi, MD
    • Douglas C. Wu, MD, PhD
    • Monica Boen, MD
    • Jameson T. Loyal, MD, FAAD
    • Raheel Zubair, MD
    • Leysin Fletcher, PA-C
    • Farzaneh Momeni-Salami, MA
    • West Dermatology
    • Blog
  • Procedures
    • Injectables
      • Bellafill
      • Belotero
      • Botox
      • Daxxify
      • Dysport San Diego
      • Fat Grafting
      • Jeuveau
      • Juvéderm
      • Liquid Facelift
      • Liquid Rhinoplasty
      • Radiesse
      • Redensity RHA Filler
      • Restylane
      • RHA Dermal Fillers
      • Sculptra
      • Silhouette Instalift
      • Skinvive
      • Xeomin
    • Laser
      • *Take10 Years Off*
      • *TotalTat³™ Laser Tattoo Removal*
      • Accure Laser
      • Active / Deep FX
      • Affirm Multiplex
      • Blue Light Acne Treatments
      • Candela GentleMax
      • Clear & Brilliant
      • CoolTouch Varia
      • Excimer Laser
      • Fractional Resurfacing
      • Fraxel Dual
      • Fraxel Repair
      • Fraxel Restore
      • IPL Photofacial
      • Laser for Burns
      • Laser Hair Removal
      • Laser Tattoo Removal
      • M22 IPL
      • Photodynamic Therapy
      • Picosure
      • Picoway
      • PiQo4 Laser
      • Potenza RF Microneedling
      • Resurfx
      • RF Microneedling
      • Scar Treatment
      • Sciton Profile
      • Splendor X
      • UltraClear
      • UltraPulse
      • Vbeam Prima
      • Vbeam Perfecta
    • Body Sculpting
      • *Cool³ Body Sculpting*
      • Cellfina for Cellulite
      • CoolLipo
      • CoolSculpting Elite
      • CoolSculpting Elite for Men
      • CoolTone
      • Exilis
      • Facial Liposculpture
      • Kybella
      • Liposculpture / Liposuction
      • Microlipo
      • Qwo
      • Resonic by Soliton
      • Sofwave
      • Skin Tightening
      • Thermage
      • ThermiSculpt³
      • ThermiTight
      • ThermiVa Vaginal Rejuvenation
      • Ultherapy
    • Veins
      • CoolTouch Varia
      • CoolTouch CTEV
      • Laser Vein Removal
      • Phlebectomy
      • Sclerotherapy
    • Aesthetics
      • *Skincare Trifecta*
      • Chemical Peels
      • Dermaplaning
      • Dermasweep
      • Facials
      • Hydrafacial
      • JetPeel
      • Latisse
      • Microdermabrasion
      • SaltFacial
      • Skincare
        • Find Your Perfect Skincare Match
      • UPNEEQ
      • VI Peel
    • Not Sure?
      We can create a customized treatment plan just for you! Schedule your complimentary consultation online today.
  • Areas of Interest
    • Age group
      • Teens
      • In Your 20’s
      • In Your 30’s
      • In Your 40’s
      • In Your 50’s
      • In Your 60’s
    • Skin type
      • African American Skin
      • Aging Skin
      • Asian Skin
      • Ethnic Skin
      • Hispanic / Latin
      • Men’s Skin
      • Sensitive Skin
    • Anti-aging
      • Chest Rejuvenation
      • Deep Wrinkles
      • Eyelash & Eyebrow Enhancement
      • Facial Veins
      • Fine Lines & Wrinkles
      • Hair Removal
      • Hand Rejuvenation
      • Lip Fillers
      • Lip Lines (Smoker Lines)
      • Skin Laxity & Volume Loss
      • Skin Texture
      • Spider & Varicose Veins
      • Sun Damage & Brown Spots
    • General conditions
      • Acne
      • Acne Scars / General Scars
      • Birthmarks
      • Excessive Sweating
      • Freckles, Birthmarks and Port Stains
      • Gummy Smile
      • Melasma
      • Nevus of Ota
      • Pearly Penile Papules (PPP)
      • Precancerous Lesions
      • Rosacea / Broken Blood Vessels
      • Seborrheic Keratosis
      • Skin Cancer
    • Body shaping
      • Abdomen & Flank Contouring
      • Arm Contouring
      • Buttock Enhancements
      • Cellulite Reduction
      • Chin Contouring
      • Crepey Arm Skin
      • Excess Fat
      • Fat Reducing
      • Neck Rejuvenation
        • Sagging Skin
      • Thigh Contouring
    • Just Want to Talk?
      We can create a customized treatment plan just for you! Schedule your complimentary consultation online today.
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
    • Webinar Series
  • Research
  • Skincare Store
    • Login or Create an Account
    • Get Your Customized Skincare Regimen
  • Contact
May 29, 2018
By Mitchel P. Goldman, MD

The ABCDEs of Skin Cancer Recognition

Facebook Linkedin Twitter Email

Pre-Cancerous Lesion Dermatology La JollaSkin cancer affects a large percentage of the population and is the most common type of cancer. Luckily, it is also one of the easiest to recognize and treat. Catching skin cancer early is essential for successful removal of cancer, as the earlier it is caught the easier it is to remove all of the cancerous cells without damaging a significant amount of surrounding tissue. Left alone, skin cancer can spread to other parts of the body and even become deadly, but when caught early, chances of a full recovery are high.

The expert dermatologists at Cosmetic Laser Dermatology in San Diego have years of experience diagnosing and treating all types of skin cancer and urge their patients to undergo regular skin cancer screenings to lessen the chances of being caught unawares in a late stage of cancer.

How to Self-Check for Skin Cancer

Being aware of your skin is a big part of recognizing potential skin cancer, and dermatologists recommend seeing a doctor immediately if you see any of these ABCDE signs:

  • Asymmetrical mole or discoloration
  • Border that is blurred or irregular
  • Colors that vary or change within the same mole or discoloration
  • Diameter of larger than a pencil eraser
  • Elevation or evolution of a mole or discoloration

If you spot any of these signs, have the mole or discoloration examined as soon as possible by a board-certified dermatologist with experience in skin cancer. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and catching cancer at an early stage will prevent it from spreading and becoming dangerous.

Types of Skin Cancer

There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Melanoma is the type that most people know about, as it is the most dangerous. If left unchecked, melanoma can spread quickly throughout the body and eventually prove fatal. Melanoma is the rarest of the three, but undoubtedly the most deadly. Melanoma often appears as a mole, so if any irregular moles appear on your body, have them examined immediately.

Treatments for Skin Cancer

Precancerous lesions, also known as actinic keratoses, can often be treated effectively with PDT, or photodynamic therapy. Basal and squamous cell carcinoma in the very earliest stages can also sometimes be treated with PDT. Skin cancer that has progressed beyond the earliest stages are usually best treated with surgery, however. Mohs surgery is considered one of the best skin cancer treatments, as it is done in a very precise manner with the aid of a microscope in order to remove cancerous skin layer by layer until there is none left. Mohs also has the benefit of damaging much less surrounding healthy tissue than other types of surgery. Your dermatologist will discuss the best treatment options for your cancer depending on the size, location, and stage of the cancer, as well as your individual medical history.

Schedule a Skin Cancer Consultation Today

If you suspect that you may have skin cancer, do not hesitate to make an appointment with Cosmetic Laser Dermatology. To learn more about the different types of skin cancer and to schedule your consultation, call (858) 943-2113 today.

Next, learn How to make your Hands Look Younger.

Facebook Linkedin Twitter Email

Tags

Same Day Appointments Available

Book a consultation online

Contact Us

    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    Book Online
    Call/Text 858.943.2113

    Keep in Touch

    Your information is always safe with us
    Follow us on Social
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Linkedin
    • Skincare Questionnaire
    • Research
    • Patient Forms
    Cosmetic Laser Dermatology 9339 Genesee Ave #300 San Diego, CA 92121 858.943.2113
    Select Language: English Español

    ©2023 All Rights Reserved. Design & Development by Goldman Marketing Group | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | The information available on this web site is provided for informational purposes only. This information is not intended to replace a medical consultation where a physician’s judgment may advise you about specific disorders, conditions and or treatment options. We hope the information will be useful for you to become more educated about your health care decisions. If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact us at 858.943.2113.

    The information available on this website is provided for informational purposes only. This information is not intended to replace a medical consultation where a physician’s judgment may advise you about specific disorders, conditions and/or treatment options. We hope the information will be useful for you to become more educated about your health care decisions.