Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, and early diagnosis is critical to achieving the best outcome. It’s helpful to know how skin cancer is diagnosed. Dr. Khanh Truong and Dr. Henry DeGroot at NorCal Dermatology in Santa Rosa, CA, provide a wide range of dermatology services, including diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
What You Need To Know About Diagnosis of Skin Cancer
Several types of skin cancer exist, including squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Each invades a type of skin cell and can occur in different skin layers.
One of the best ways to identify early skin cancer is to self-check your skin. You need to look for:
- Moles that are poorly defined, with ragged borders
- Moles that have an asymmetrical shape
- Moles that have a diameter of 6 millimeters or more
- Moles that have grown back after previous removal
- Moles that itch, ooze, or bleed
- Red, scaly patches of skin that hurt or bleed
You should also visit your dermatologist for a skin examination at least once each year and more often if you have:
- Fair skin and freckles
- A family history of skin cancer
- A previous history of skin cancer
During a professional skin examination, your dermatologist may identify abnormal moles or areas of skin and take a small tissue sample or remove the entire mole. The sample may be sent for a biopsy, which identifies cellular changes on a microscopic level and can diagnose the type and stage of cancer.
Another test to aid in diagnosing skin cancer is Mohs micrographic surgery. This procedure involves removing a thin layer of tissue and viewing it under a special microscope. If cancerous cells are found, another layer is removed and examined. The process continues until no cancerous cells are found.
Want To Know More About the Diagnosis of Skin Cancer?
To learn more about skin cancer diagnosis, talk with the experts. Call Dr. Truong and Dr. DeGroot at NorCal Dermatology in Santa Rosa, CA. You can reach them in the office by calling (707) 527-9517, so call today.