I have a BCC on my face in an area that requires complex surgery. Would I be a candidate for treatment with "Erivedge" and do you prescribe that drug? Steve, thank you for reaching out. Erivedge vismodegib is sometimes prescribed by doctors at MSK.
If you would like to consult with an MSK expert, you can make an appointment online or call to learn more. Thank you for your comment. Have a 3mm diameter BCC on the side of my nose. My regular Dr. When I asked if I was a candidate for radiation therapy he said yes, I could do that if I preferred. Of course I'd prefer to not have surgery and a scar, so I scheduled radiation, but I am concerned about the side effects of radiation.
The irradiated area is 10mm larger than the BCC. That seems like a large area to me. I am concerned about my teeth and sinuses. Yesterday I visited with a Mohs surgeon who said I should seriously reconsider having the radiation therapy. Is it unsafe or unproven? Thank you. Morpheaform I think it was called. My surgery was in Jan of this year. Yes it was scary to have a scar especially as a woman on my face who has never worn makeup.
Our face heals quite quickly and very well. Today nobody can even see where I had 18 External stitches. I was diagnosed with melanoma on my right cheek by my local dermatologist. She did a fantastic job. It has been only 3 months and you can hardly see the scar.
She is kind, compassionate and explains every step of the way. So grateful to her and her wonderful staff. We will forward your comment to Dr. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Do you know which one? If you want to diminish a noticeable scar, know these 10 things before having laser treatment. Having acne can feel devastating for a teenager. Here are 5 things you can do to help your teen.
Find out what helps. If your child develops scabies, everyone in your household will need treatment. Follow this advice to treat everyone safely and effectively. We're helping you achieve YourHealthiestSkin from head to toe. Use these tips from dermatologists to keep all your skin looking and feeling its best. AAD Shade Structures provide permanent outdoor shade in areas that are not protected from the sun. When it comes to treating the skin, plenty of people say they have expertise.
Only a board-certified dermatologist has these credentials. Learning that you have melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, can make it difficult to hear anything else your doctor says. After leaving the office, you may wonder what happens next. While what happens next varies with each patient, there is a process after diagnosis.
The following picture shows the steps often included in this process. Steps after a melanoma diagnosis. You may have had a complete skin exam during your last dermatology appointment.
Dermatologists often perform this exam when a patient has a suspicious spot on their skin that could be skin cancer. During a complete skin exam, your dermatologist examines you head to toe. This exam includes a look at all of your skin, including the skin on your scalp, face, genitals, and the bottoms of your feet. Your dermatologist will also examine your nails and look inside your mouth. Your dermatologist will also want to know what diseases run in your family and the medications you take.
During your physical, your dermatologist will check your lymph nodes to find out if any feel swollen. There are many reasons for swollen lymph nodes. For example, if you have an infection or recently received a vaccination, lymph nodes can feel swollen. When you have melanoma, the swelling might be a sign that the cancer has spread.
Although, skin cancer sometimes does. Found early, skin cancer is highly treatable. Often a dermatologist can treat an early skin cancer by removing the cancer and a bit of normal-looking skin.
If the spot looks like it could be a skin cancer, your dermatologist will remove it all or part of it. This can easily be done during your appointment. The procedure that your dermatologist uses to remove the spot is called a skin biopsy. Having a skin biopsy is essential.
What your dermatologist removes will be looked at under a microscope. The doctor who examines the removed skin will look for cancer cells. If cancer cells are found, your biopsy report will tell you what type of skin cancer cells were found. If you find a suspicious spot, seeing a dermatologist can give you peace of mind. Dermatologists are experts in caring for the skin and have more experience diagnosing skin cancer than any other doctor. You can find a dermatologist by going to, Find a dermatologist.
The epidermis is a thin layer that provides a protective cover of skin cells that your body continually sheds. The epidermis contains three main types of cells:. Much of the damage to DNA in skin cells results from ultraviolet UV radiation found in sunlight and in the lights used in tanning beds. But sun exposure doesn't explain skin cancers that develop on skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight. This indicates that other factors may contribute to your risk of skin cancer, such as being exposed to toxic substances or having a condition that weakens your immune system.
Most skin cancers are preventable. To protect yourself, follow these skin cancer prevention tips:. Avoid the sun during the middle of the day. For many people in North America, the sun's rays are strongest between about 10 a.
Schedule outdoor activities for other times of the day, even in winter or when the sky is cloudy. You absorb UV radiation year-round, and clouds offer little protection from damaging rays. Avoiding the sun at its strongest helps you avoid the sunburns and suntans that cause skin damage and increase your risk of developing skin cancer.
Sun exposure accumulated over time also may cause skin cancer. Wear sunscreen year-round. Sunscreens don't filter out all harmful UV radiation, especially the radiation that can lead to melanoma. But they play a major role in an overall sun protection program. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or perspiring. Use a generous amount of sunscreen on all exposed skin, including your lips, the tips of your ears, and the backs of your hands and neck.
Wear protective clothing. Sunscreens don't provide complete protection from UV rays. So cover your skin with dark, tightly woven clothing that covers your arms and legs, and a broad-brimmed hat, which provides more protection than a baseball cap or visor does. Some companies also sell photoprotective clothing. A dermatologist can recommend an appropriate brand. Don't forget sunglasses. Be aware of sun-sensitizing medications.
Some common prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including antibiotics, can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the side effects of any medications you take.
If they increase your sensitivity to sunlight, take extra precautions to stay out of the sun in order to protect your skin.
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