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Types of Skin CancerSkin cancer is curable if detected early. Awareness about the types of skin cancer and their signs and symptoms can help to reduce the risks associated with this dreaded disease.

Suncoast Skin Solutions, led by board certified dermatologist Dr. Christopher Ewanowski, provides skin cancer treatments to patients in Tampa, Brandon, Lutz, Seminole, Riverview, Brooksville, Winter Haven, Daytona Beach, Largo, St. Petersburg, Ocala, The Villages Central Florida, Florida, and surrounding locations.

Melanoma

Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. These cancerous growths occur when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells (frequently caused by UV radiation from tanning beds or sunlight) prompts mutations (genetic defects) that cause the skin cells to multiply quickly and develop malignant tumors.

Such tumors initiate in the pigment-generating melanocytes in the basal epidermis layer. Melanomas often look like moles; some melanomas develop from moles.

In most cases, melanomas are brown or black. However, they can also be pink, purple, skin-colored, white, or blue. Mostly, intense and occasional sun exposure (often causing skin-burn) causes melanoma. This case is especially true for people who are genetically predisposed to this condition. In the US, an estimated 10,130 persons die from melanoma each year.

Melanoma is always curable if diagnosed and treated early. However, if it is not diagnosed in time, it can advance and reach other body parts where it becomes difficult to address and can be fatal. Melanoma is not the most common form of skin cancer. Nevertheless, it is the reason for the most cancer-related deaths.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

BCCs are uncontrolled, abnormal growths or lesions that originate in the basal cells of the skin. These cells line the deepest epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin) layer. BCCs frequently appear as red patches, shiny bumps, open sores, pink growths or scars that are typically caused due to cumulative and intense as well as occasional sun exposure.

BCC almost never metastasizes (spreads) further than the original site of the tumor. In extremely rare circumstances, it may spread to other body parts and become fatal. However, it should not be taken lightly. It can lead to disfigurement if not addressed immediately.

In the US, over four million cases of basal cell carcinoma are detected annually. BCC is the most commonly occurring type of all cancers. More than 1 out of every 3 new cancers is skin cancer, and the large majority is BCCs.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells occurring in squamous cells. These cells make up most of the skin’s top layers (the epidermis). SCCs frequently appear as open sores, warts, scaly red patches, or raised growths with a central depression. They can crust or bleed. They can also lead to disfigurement and become fatal if left untreated.

Over one million SCC cases are diagnosed annually in the US. Depending on various estimates, up to 8,800 succumb to the disease each year. In the past 30 years, the incidence of SCC has risen by 200 percent in the US.

The main reasons behind SCC are the cumulative exposure to UV radiation over a lifetime, daily exposure to UV light throughout the year, intense sun exposure in the summer months, and UV generated by tanning beds.

Dr. Ewanowski’s skin care clinic receives patients from Tampa, Brandon, Lutz, Seminole, Riverview, Brooksville, Winter Haven, Daytona Beach, Largo, St. Petersburg, Ocala, The Villages Central Florida, Florida, and other cities and communities in this region of the country for skin cancer treatments.

SunCoast Skin Solutions Dermatology offices are located in Tampa / Hillsborough, St. Petersburg / Pinellas County, Brandon, Lutz (2 locations), Winter Haven, Largo, Riverview, Brooksville, Ocala, Largo at Bardmoor, Daytona Beach, Sarasota, and Palm Harbor, Florida. Contact us at 1-844-786-3376 or click here.