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Parkwood skin clinic
Skin cancer is a vicious disease that occurs when abnormal cells grow in the topmost layer of skin with mutated DNA. It can manifest as four different forms: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma – each one capable of causing extensive damage if left untreated.
When it comes to treating skin cancer and precancerous lesions, the treatment plan varies depending on the size, type, depth and area of these growths. An initial biopsy might be all that’s needed if they are small enough. But when more intense treatments become necessary your options could include:
From minor cases to the more aggressive skin cancers like melanoma or Merkel cell carcinoma, Parkwood skin clinic is here for you. Our team will develop a personalised plan that addresses your unique diagnosis and provide answers along every step of the way – from office visits to out-patient surgery and even chemotherapy or immunotherapy if needed. We are working with leading plastic surgeons, Mohs surgeons and oncologists on the gold coast. Rest assured knowing our multidisciplinary approach is with you as we find treatments best suited for all types of skin cancer!
Skin cancer may seem scary, but the good news is that it can be easily detected and treated if caught early! Exposure to UV rays from sunlight or tanning beds increases risk of skin cancer – so keep yourself safe by wearing sunscreen. Even better: check in with your dermatologist regularly for thorough screenings as they are often able to detect abnormalities at a precancerous stage before any damage has been done.
Skin cancer is not just one disease, but actually four distinct types. Basal cell carcinoma can be found anywhere on the skin and originates in cells located in the lower layer of epidermis. Squamous cell carcinomas most often come from too much sun exposure, while Merkel Cell cancers has a more aggressive nature usually occurring around head and neck regions. Lastly, Melanomas are caused by an accumulation of melanin pigment-producing cells close to where dermis meets epidermis layers.
Skin cancer is alarmingly prevalent in Australia; it’s estimated that 1 in 3 Australians will develop skin cancer at some point through their life. It can affect all colors and races, so everyone should be vigilant about checking for signs of the disease. Fortunately, with timely diagnosis and treatment there are high success rates: around 95 percent for BCC (Basal Cell Carcinoma) & SCC (Squamous Cell Carcinoma), although a melanoma detected before spreading has an especially good prognosis. A yearly examination by a specialist plus self-examinations using advanced tools to check beyond what we can see ourselves are important steps toward catching suspicious abnormalities early on.
The most prevalent form of skin cancer and the one that responds best to treatment is called basal cell carcinoma. Due to the slow rate at which basal cell carcinoma spreads, it most commonly affects adults. It is responsible for sixty percent of the total number of cases of skin cancer in Australia.
BCCs are typically painless and have a slow, steady growth rate that can take months or even years. It is possible that basal cell carcinoma will go unnoticed, or it may appear as a persistent change to an area of skin that is red, itchy, or scar-like. Changes take place over the course of several months, and the BCC will erupt, then heal; it might also bleed occasionally or ulcerate.
They almost never spread to other organs or regions of the body. Nearly half of all basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) develop on the head and neck in people over the age of 40 who have fair skin.
Because basal cell carcinomas can appear on skin that has never been exposed to the sun, it is possible that sun exposure is not the only factor that causes them.
There are many subtypes of basal cell carcinoma, and each one can have a distinctive appearance on the skin.
On the face, neck, or ears, BCC can manifest as a pearly white or waxy bump, and it often has blood vessels that are visible through its surface.
It is also possible for BCC to manifest as a flat, scaly, flesh-colored or pink patch on the back or chest, or even, although this is much less common, a white waxy scar.
The earlier a basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is diagnosed, the simpler the treatment will be. If it is not treated, the condition can spread deeper into the skin and damage the tissue that is nearby, which makes treatment more difficult.
Surgical excision is the preferred method of treatment for a good number of basal cell carcinomas.
Non-surgical treatments include Aldara, PDT, and cryotherapy.
Having a history of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) raises the likelihood of developing another. It is not impossible to have more than one BCC on the body at the same time, even if they are located in different areas. After the basal cell carcinoma has been treated, there is a possibility that it will come back. You run the risk of developing additional basal cell carcinomas as well as other forms of skin cancer.
It is recommended to get a complete skin exam once a year.
In Australia, squamous cell carcinoma accounts for approximately 30 percent of all cases of skin cancer. This makes it the second most common type of skin cancer.
SCCs typically form in areas of the skin that have been previously damaged by UV rays from the sun. They are most commonly found on the scalp, face, ears, lower lips, forehead, arms, hands, and lower legs. They can also be found on the face, ears, lower lips, and forehead.
Because the most common cause of SCC is cumulative, long-term exposure to UV light from the sun over the course of one’s lifetime, skin cancer of the head and neck is more common as people age.
SCCs have a propensity to grow rapidly over the course of several weeks or months. If treatment is not received, SCCs have the potential to spread to other areas of the body. Because SCC on the lips and ears is more likely to spread, it is important to get checked out as soon as possible by a medical professional.
Squamous cell carcinomas typically manifest as scaly red patches, crusted spots, or rapidly growing lumps on the skin. They may form a crust or bleed, become inflamed, and be particularly sensitive to the touch. The skin on which SCCs develop frequently reveals telltale signs of sun damage such as freckling and dryness.
If caught early and treated, SCC can be cured. In the event that SCC progresses to an advanced stage, treatment will be determined by the stage.
Melanoma incidence and mortality rates in Australia are among the highest in the world. Melanoma is the third most common type of cancer in both men and women and is the third most deadly. Before the age of 85, melanoma will be diagnosed in one out of every 13 men and one out of every 22 women.
Melanoma is one of the less common forms of skin cancer, but it is also the type of skin cancer that is considered to be the most serious. This is due to the fact that melanomas are more likely to spread to other parts of the body, particularly if they are not discovered at an early stage. Melanoma is not particularly difficult to diagnose, and the earlier it is detected, the higher the likelihood that treatment will be successful.
Melanoma develops more rapidly than other forms of skin cancer, and it has the potential to spread to other parts of the body, including the bones and the brain, in addition to the skin. The condition is then extremely difficult to treat and cannot be cured.
There are many subtypes of melanoma, and the appearance of the disease can change drastically from patient to patient.
Melanoma typically stands out and appears distinctively different from other moles on the skin of individuals who have a large number of moles.
The first sign is frequently the appearance of a new mole or a change in the appearance of an existing mole.
The size of the spot could either change or become more obvious.
The mole may become more blotchy over time, exhibiting a range of tonalities and intensities of colour (brown, black, blue, red, white, light grey, pink or skin-coloured).
The spot may become taller, become scaly, have an irregular edge (scalloped or notched), or lack symmetry. Other possible characteristics include asymmetry (the halves look different).
The mole may, at various times, cause itching or bleeding.
The elevation of the spot can begin as a raised nodule or develop into a raised area. These elevated areas are typically reddish or brown with reddish undertones.
It is possible for new moles to appear at any time during childhood, as well as throughout one’s 30s, 40s, and even while pregnant.
Adults, on the other hand, should make an appointment with their primary care physician to have any new moles examined, particularly if the new mole stands out from other moles in some way or is raised, firm, and expanding.
Even if you have had a mole checked in the past and it was determined to be harmless, it is still important to perform routine checks on your skin to look for any changes in the way the mole looks in terms of its size, shape, or colour. Have an immediate conversation with your skin cancer doctor about any changes.
Rare forms of skin cancer include the following:
Cancers, like Merkel cell carcinoma, are typically found in sun-exposed areas of the head and neck, such as the scalp and face. It typically develops rapidly and can quickly spread to other areas of the body.
Sebaceous gland carcinoma is a type of cancer that begins in the oil gland and is very aggressive.
This uncommon but aggressive form of skin cancer begins in Merkel cells, which, along with nerve endings, are responsible for the sense of touch that we have in our skin. Cancers of the Merkel cell type may be more prevalent in areas of the skin that are frequently subjected to the sun, such as the scalp and face. Those who are over the age of 50 and have an immune system that is not functioning properly have an increased likelihood of developing this form of skin cancer. There is a possibility that Merkel cell carcinomas will spread to the brain, bones, liver, or lungs.