Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants | Letantia Bussell, M.D

Skin Cancer Treatment, Prevention and Surgery

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the world, and it is estimated that one in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. At Beverly Hills Dermatology Consultants, we emphasize early detection, efficient treatment, and the utmost care to restore healthy, cancer-free skin.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Mohs micrographic surgery is a state-of-the-art treatment for skin cancer in which the provider serves as dermatologist, pathologist and reconstructive surgeon. Using the precision and accuracy of a microscope trace, the Mohs-trained practitioner removes the skin cancer down to its roots, sparing the surrounding healthy tissue. The procedure is immediately followed by an in-office microscopic examination and pathology report of the diseased tissue, ensuring the full removal of the cancer and informing the best method for follow-up.

Mohs micrographic surgery is an outpatient procedure, performed under local anesthesia. The healing process is similar to that of most surgical procedures and it ensures all the diseased tissue, and only the diseased tissue, is removed, thereby minimizing the size of the wound.

Of all treatments for skin cancer, Mohs micrographic surgery:

Offers the highest cure rate (up to 99%)
Has the lowest chance of regrowth
Minimizes the potential for scarring and disfigurement
Is the most exact and precise means of removal

Future Detection

Coupled with a yearly skin exam by a doctor, self-examination of your skin once a month is the best way to detect the early warning signs of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma, the three main types of skin cancer.

Most people have a number of freckles, birthmarks, and moles on their skin. Almost all such spots are normal, but understanding the key warning signs of melanoma will help detect possible skin cancers.

When a melanoma is detected and treated at an early stage, it is usually curable. Some melanomas are hidden in inconspicuous locations on the body, for example, on the scalp,. But many, if not most, melanomas can be spotted as soon as they arise - if you know what signs to look for:

The ABCDE's of Moles & Melanoma

Most people have a number of brownish spots on their skin - freckles, birthmarks, moles. Almost all such spots are normal, but some may be skin cancers. Key warning signs of melanoma are shown below. Be alert to irregularities in shape, edges, color, and size. The ABCDE's of melanoma are as follows: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variability, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser and Evolution or changes in shape or any of the above properties.

Asymmetry: Most early melanomas are asymmetrical: a line through the middle would not create matching halves. Common moles are round and symmetrical.
Border: The borders of early melanomas are often uneven and may have scalloped or notched edges. Common moles have smoother, more even borders.
Color: Common moles usually are a single shade of brown. Varied shades of brown, tan, or black are often the first sign of melanoma. As melanomas progress, they may appear more red, white or blue.
Diameter: Early melanomas tend to grow larger than common moles - generally to at least the size of a pencil eraser (about 6mm, or 1/4 inch, in diameter).
Evolution: Any changes in a mole's shape, color or size should be brought to the attention of a dermatologist immediatley.

If you detect any of these warning signs, see a Board Certified Dermatologist promptly.
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