Skin Cancer Treatment

When you detect skin cancer early, skin cancer treatment can often cure it. At Lone Star State Dermatology Clinic in Live Oak, Texas, dermatologists Jean-Denis Boucher, MD, and Amanda Palmer, PA-C, treat skin cancer with advanced techniques like superficial radiation therapy and Mohs surgery. Schedule an appointment online or over the phone for your next skin exam or skin cancer treatment consultation today.

Who needs skin cancer treatment? 

Skin cancer treatment aims to cure skin cancers of all types. Regular skin exams at Lone Star State Dermatology check for cancerous skin irregularities, often from excessive unprotected sun exposure. Your genetics might also predispose you to skin cancer.

Here are the three most common types of skin cancer treatable with modern techniques:

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

BCC is the most common type of skin cancer and most often affects fair-skinned people. It has a high cure rate and usually looks like a flesh-colored growth or red skin patch. 

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)

SCC, the second-most common type of skin cancer, typically resembles a firm bump, a wart-like growth, or a scab that doesn’t heal. 

Melanoma

Melanoma, the most serious of the three, can appear as either a new mole or a change to an existing mole. This is because melanoma starts in melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in your skin. 

How does skin cancer treatment work?

The Lone Star State Dermatology Clinic team treats skin cancer after diagnosing it with a skin exam and biopsy. Depending on your skin cancer type and stage, they may recommend:

Superficial radiation therapy (SRT)

SRT targets cancer cells with energy beams. It’s a nonsurgical treatment that works best for basal and squamous cell carcinomas. 

Surgical excision

Surgical excision involves using a scalpel to cut out cancerous lesions plus a small margin of healthy tissue around them. 

Electrodesiccation and curettage (ED & C)

ED & C removes cancerous tissue by scraping it off and cauterizing the wound with heat. 

Mohs surgery

Mohs surgery preserves as much healthy skin as possible. After removing a layer of cells, your dermatologist examines the tissue under a microscope to determine the next area for removal. 

What are the benefits of modern skin cancer treatments?

Today’s skin cancer treatments give you the highest possible chance of a full recovery after early detection. Some key benefits of the skin cancer treatments available at Lone Star State Dermatology Clinic are:

• High cure rates with early detection
• High treatment customization options
• Advanced techniques to preserve healthy skin around cancer
• Minimally invasive options 

The team at Lone Star State Dermatology Clinic provides regular skin evaluations to look for signs of skin cancer in its earliest stages. 

To schedule your next skin exam or explore skin cancer treatments, call Lone Star State Dermatology Clinic or book online today.