Skin Cancer FAQs
If you've been diagnosed with skin cancer, you need a physician who is exceptionally qualified, experienced and compassionate. Dr. Abrou is renowned among physicians and patients for his credentials and his dedication to patient care. To provide more information for his current and prospective patients, Dr. Abrou has developed the following responses to frequently asked questions about skin cancer.
Request a consultation with Dr. Abrou today by calling our office at 248-852-1900
What is basal cell cancer and what does it look like?
Accounting for about 80% of all diagnosed skin cancers, basal cell carcinoma is the most common type. According to the American College of Mohs Surgery and American Academy of Dermatology, basal cell carcinoma generally appears on sun-exposed areas and may look like a blemish that won't heal, a shiny, pearly bump that does not go away or a rough reddened patch. It may bleed if minor trauma occurs to that area.
What is squamous cell cancer and what does it look like?
The second most common type, squamous cell cancer tends to be more aggressive than basal cell carcinoma. It may occur on areas of your body exposed to the sun as well as unexposed areas such as the genitals and mucous membranes. Squamous cell carcinoma usually looks like a red crusted bump or rough, scaly patch, and the American College of Mohs Surgery notes that it sometimes is mistaken for a patch of dry skin or a wart.
What is melanoma and what does it look like?
Although it accounts for approximately 3% of skin cancer cases, melanoma is the most dangerous type; in fact, more than 75% of skin cancer-related deaths result from melanoma. Frequently developing in an existing mole or appearing to be a new mole, melanomas typically are brown to black lesions that according to the American College of Mohs Surgery, have uneven borders, colors or surfaces. It can appear anywhere on the body, such as the legs. However, when they appear on sun-damaged skin such as the face, melanomas may look like a brown patch or unevenly colored freckle.
What is actinic keratosis and what does it look like?
The most common type of pre-cancer, actinic (solar) keratosis is caused by chronic exposure to the sun. It typically resembles a scaly patch of dry skin that is either pink or flesh-colored. Actinic Keratoses appear on sun-exposed areas such as the arms, chest, legs, head and neck. If not treated early, they can result in squamous cell carcinoma. Learn more about treatments for skin cancer.
Can I get skin cancer anywhere on my body?
Skin cancer typically occurs on sun-exposed areas of the body, such as the face, neck, chest, and arms. Skin cancer can appear in other areas, such as the genitals.
What can I do to protect myself from skin cancer?
Although you cannot reverse any damage to your skin that has already occurred from sun exposure, you can follow key precautions to reduce your risk of future damage. For details on guidelines for sunscreen strengths and application, read Dr. Abrou's recommendations for skin cancer prevention.
Will my cancer come back?
No treatment method can guarantee a cure rate of 100% – but Mohs surgery has a cure rate of up to 99% for new skin cancers. For skin cancers that were treated in the past and recurred, the cure rate is 95%.
When you visit Dr. Abrou for your skin cancer treatment at one of this practices, he uses his Mohs surgery education, extensive experience and skills to design a procedure focused on completely removing the skin cancer while preserving the healthy surrounding skin. According to the American College of Mohs Surgery, Mohs surgery, when performed by an experienced specialist like Dr. Abrou that will provide the highest possible cure rate for most skin cancers.
Will I develop more skin cancers?
After you develop a skin cancer, the American Academy of Dermatology and American College of Mohs Surgery report that you do have an increased risk of developing more skin cancers. Therefore it is critical to visit your dermatologist regularly. Be sure to schedule an appointment if you notice any changes in your skin. In addition, it is important to follow the American Academy of Dermatology's recommendations for skin cancer prevention.
If you've been diagnosed with skin cancer, you need a physician who is exceptionally qualified, experienced and compassionate. Dr. Abrou is renowned among physicians and patients for his credentials and his dedication to patient care. To provide more information for his current and prospective patients, Dr. Abrou has developed the following responses to frequently asked questions about skin cancer.
Request a consultation with Dr. Abrou today by calling our office at 248-852-1900
What is basal cell cancer and what does it look like?
Accounting for about 80% of all diagnosed skin cancers, basal cell carcinoma is the most common type. According to the American College of Mohs Surgery and American Academy of Dermatology, basal cell carcinoma generally appears on sun-exposed areas and may look like a blemish that won't heal, a shiny, pearly bump that does not go away or a rough reddened patch. It may bleed if minor trauma occurs to that area.
What is squamous cell cancer and what does it look like?
The second most common type, squamous cell cancer tends to be more aggressive than basal cell carcinoma. It may occur on areas of your body exposed to the sun as well as unexposed areas such as the genitals and mucous membranes. Squamous cell carcinoma usually looks like a red crusted bump or rough, scaly patch, and the American College of Mohs Surgery notes that it sometimes is mistaken for a patch of dry skin or a wart.
What is melanoma and what does it look like?
Although it accounts for approximately 3% of skin cancer cases, melanoma is the most dangerous type; in fact, more than 75% of skin cancer-related deaths result from melanoma. Frequently developing in an existing mole or appearing to be a new mole, melanomas typically are brown to black lesions that according to the American College of Mohs Surgery, have uneven borders, colors or surfaces. It can appear anywhere on the body, such as the legs. However, when they appear on sun-damaged skin such as the face, melanomas may look like a brown patch or unevenly colored freckle.
What is actinic keratosis and what does it look like?
The most common type of pre-cancer, actinic (solar) keratosis is caused by chronic exposure to the sun. It typically resembles a scaly patch of dry skin that is either pink or flesh-colored. Actinic Keratoses appear on sun-exposed areas such as the arms, chest, legs, head and neck. If not treated early, they can result in squamous cell carcinoma. Learn more about treatments for skin cancer.
Can I get skin cancer anywhere on my body?
Skin cancer typically occurs on sun-exposed areas of the body, such as the face, neck, chest, and arms. Skin cancer can appear in other areas, such as the genitals.
What can I do to protect myself from skin cancer?
Although you cannot reverse any damage to your skin that has already occurred from sun exposure, you can follow key precautions to reduce your risk of future damage. For details on guidelines for sunscreen strengths and application, read Dr. Abrou's recommendations for skin cancer prevention.
Will my cancer come back?
No treatment method can guarantee a cure rate of 100% – but Mohs surgery has a cure rate of up to 99% for new skin cancers. For skin cancers that were treated in the past and recurred, the cure rate is 95%.
When you visit Dr. Abrou for your skin cancer treatment at one of this practices, he uses his Mohs surgery education, extensive experience and skills to design a procedure focused on completely removing the skin cancer while preserving the healthy surrounding skin. According to the American College of Mohs Surgery, Mohs surgery, when performed by an experienced specialist like Dr. Abrou that will provide the highest possible cure rate for most skin cancers.
Will I develop more skin cancers?
After you develop a skin cancer, the American Academy of Dermatology and American College of Mohs Surgery report that you do have an increased risk of developing more skin cancers. Therefore it is critical to visit your dermatologist regularly. Be sure to schedule an appointment if you notice any changes in your skin. In addition, it is important to follow the American Academy of Dermatology's recommendations for skin cancer prevention.
