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Skin cancer is the uncontrolled overgrowth of abnormal skin cells caused by unrepaired DNA damage triggering a mutation causing skin cells to multiply quickly, forming cancer cells. Skin cancers, especially when caught early, can be treatable.
What is it?
The skin is the largest organ in the human body and consists of numerous layers. Skin cancer originates in the epidermis, composed of squamous cells (top layer), and can penetrate deeper into basal cells (beneath squamous cells) and melanocytes (pigment cells). Skin cancer can affect anyone, regardless of skin tone, and can appear anywhere on the body. It is primarily found in areas frequently exposed to ultraviolet light, such as sunlight, tanning beds and sun lamps.
It's important to be vigilant with any new or unusual spots or bumps on your skin, especially if they differ in shape, color, size or texture. If any spots or bumps on your skin itch, bleed, form a crust or ooze, or if you notice any odd or suspicious marks on your skin, please reach out to us and schedule a consultation for further assessment. Remember, it's your skin, and its protection should be a priority.
Besides your annual skin examination with one of our board-certified providers at Mountain State Dermatology, you can conduct frequent self-examinations using the ABCDE method. Seek immediate consultation with a dermatologist if a spot or mole exhibits:
You can decrease your risk of skin cancer by reducing sun exposure and shielding your skin from UV rays. Despite the enjoyment the sun brings, it can also be detrimental. Sun damage can accumulate year-round in West Virginia, even during the chill of winter. It's vital to apply SPF 30+ sunscreen and limit your exposure to harmful rays.
How is it treated?
The first step in skin cancer diagnosis is a visual exam. If a spot appears potentially cancerous, we will extract a tissue sample for more detailed analysis. This procedure, known as a skin biopsy, allows us to send your tissue sample to our laboratory for further diagnosis by a dermatopathologist. Then, our lab's microscopic analysis will establish whether your tissue is benign (normal, non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). If it's cancerous, your provider will diagnose the specific type of cancer and create a tailor-made treatment strategy. Mountain State Dermatology diagnoses and treats all forms of skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) and sebaceous cell carcinoma.
Based on the cancer type, size and location, we can use treatments like surgical excision, Mohs surgery, immunotherapy, targeted drug therapy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Skin cancer is very treatable when detected early.
We are proud to offer our communities skin cancer screenings, excisions and biopsies and skin cancer treatment in Bridgeport, Clarksburg, Elkins, Hurricane, Morgantown, Parkersburg, South Charleston and Wheeling, West Virginia; in Waynesburg and Uniontown, Pennsylvania and in Marietta, Ohio.