SRT: Superficial Radiation Therapy
Our office is one of the only who has the SRT-100™ Machine!
Sensus Healthcare is the maker of the SRT-100 machine. It has FDA approval for non-melanoma skin cancer treatment. Good for cancers such as Basal cell carcinoma and Squamous cell carcinoma. As well as treating keloids in skin of color. As this is a very frustrating diagnosis for skin of color patients, as the recurrence rate is so high, the SRT 100 has now made the recurrence rate of keloids less than 10% in that population. That is a huge improvement in the treatment of keloids in patients with skin of color. Learn More about SRT-100™.
Frozen Section Surgery
Frozen section surgery is a surgical technique for the removal of BCC and SCC with a high risk of recurrence. It involves taking special horizontal sections of skin tissue and examining them under a microscope. It differs from other surgical excision techniques, which normally involve examination of vertical sections. Learn More about Frozen section surgery.
Everyone is at risk for skin cancer.
How much do you know about skin cancer?
Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma:
- These are the most common forms of skin cancer and are collectively referred to as non-melanoma skin cancers.
- These arise within the top layer of the skin and can appear on any sun-exposed area of the body, but are most frequently found on the face, ears, bald scalp, and neck.
- Basal cell carcinoma frequently appears as a pearly bump, whereas squamous cell carcinoma often looks like a rough, red, scaly area, or an ulcerated bump that bleeds.
- Although non-melanoma skin cancer spreads slowly, if left untreated, it can lead to disfigurement.
- Researchers estimate that 5.4 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, were diagnosed in 3.3 million people in the United States in 2012.
- See a board-certified dermatologist if you spot anything changing, itching, or bleeding on your skin.
- When caught early and treated properly, skin cancer is highly curable.
Melanoma:
- This is the most deadly form of skin cancer.
- One American dies from melanoma every hour.
- Melanoma may suddenly appear without warning, but can also develop from or near an existing mole.
- It can occur anywhere on the body, but is most common on the upper back, torso, lower legs, head, and neck.
- Melanoma frequently spreads to lymph nodes and most internal organs, making early detection and treatment essential.
- See a board-certified dermatologist if you spot anything changing, itching, or bleeding on your skin.
- New, rapidly growing moles, or moles that itch, bleed, or change color, are often early warning signs of melanoma and should be examined by a dermatologist.
- If detected early and treated properly, melanoma is highly treatable.
The Importance of Monitoring Moles:
While many moles are harmless, changes in size, shape, or color can sometimes be an early warning sign of skin cancer, particularly melanoma. New, rapidly growing moles or moles that itch, bleed, or change color should be evaluated by a dermatologist right away. Understanding the difference between a benign mole and one that may indicate cancer is crucial for early detection. Learn more about moles and their significance in skin health here.
To help you spot skin cancer early, when it’s most treatable, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone learn the ABCDEs of melanoma:
- A is for Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half.
- B is for Border irregularity: The edges are ragged, notched, or blurred.
- C is for Color that varies from one area to another.
- D is for Diameter: While melanomas are usually greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller.
- E is for Evolving: A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color.
For more information about skin cancer prevention and detection, or to find a free skin cancer screening in your area, visit SPOTme.org .
© 2021 American Academy of Dermatology. All rights reserved. Reproduction or republication strictly prohibited without prior written permission. Use of these materials is subject to the legal notice and terms of use located at https://www.aad.org/about/legal
Want to learn more about skin cancer treatments from Hecker Dermatology? Call our Pompano Beach, FL or Tamarac, FL office at (954) 783-2323