NetWellness Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer and Tanning Beds

Meg Gerstenblith MD — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 23:06:00 EST

Question: I am a thirty year old woman. I use tanning beds about once a week (sometimes twice), especially during the winter months. During the summer, I tan outdoors. I recently heard that tanning beds were just as bad as cigarettes because they, too, can cause cancer. Is this really true? I find it hard to . . .

Answer:

As dermatologists, this is a question that we hear very often from our patients. Many patients tell us they enjoy being tan for several reasons, including that it makes them feel good and look good. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a "healthy tan," and any amount of tan from ultraviolet r . . .

Ask an Expert: Meg Gerstenblith MD, Skin Cancer

Treatment

Jeremy Bordeaux MD, MPH — Sun, 01 May 2011 14:05:00 EST

Question: I have had a squamos cell on my hand. I have a basil cell on my temple to be removed. I biopsy on the bridge of my nose is pre cancer. Getting more places on my nose. What kind of specialist do I need? I am going to a dermatologist. Do I need a cancer center or a profes . . .

Answer: You need to continue to see your dermatologist. You can discuss different therapies (creams or light treatments) that you may be able to use to help decrease the number of pre-cancers you are getting. If you get a basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma on your face you may need a Mohs Micrographic Su . . .

Ask an Expert: Jeremy Bordeaux MD, MPH, Skin Cancer

MOHS Surgery vs. surgical removal ENT/plastic

Jeremy Bordeaux MD, MPH — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:12:00 EST

Question: How do I know which procedure to use? My dermatologist referred me to an ENT/plastic surgeon for removal of basal cell carcinoma, nodular on my right upper forehead. I was told by this ENT doctor that it was small. When I asked him about MOHS surgery, he said I could have that done as well. I am con . . .

Answer: Mohs surgery allows the physician to examine 100% of the margin and gives the highest cure rate (as high as 99% for basal cell carcinomas that have not been treated before) Mohs surgery also allows for normal healthy tissue to be conserved so that the resultant scar will be smaller. I would recommen . . .

Ask an Expert: Jeremy Bordeaux MD, MPH, Skin Cancer

Lump on back

Elma Baron MD — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 16:10:00 EST

Question: I`m 17 years old and I have noticed a small, gray lump on my back. It does not hurt unless I touch it and when I touch it (as in pinch it) it stings. Is it possible it might be some type of skin cancer? I hardly ever go out in the sun and I have never used a tanning bed in my life.

Answer: There are many possibilities with regard to a lump on the back, including benign conditions such as cysts which can sometimes sting when pinched. It is true that skin cancers can grow on the back as well. As this situation requires an actual evaluation by a physician, it is best to go see a dermatol . . .

Ask an Expert: Elma Baron MD, Skin Cancer

Mohs vs ED & C on shin of leg?

Jeremy Bordeaux MD, MPH — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:09:00 EST

Question: I have been advised to go with the ED & C rather than Mohs for skin cancer spot on the shin of my leg due to stress on that area. ED & C uses no stitches but Mohs cuts a big area to stitch? I don`t have swelling in my legs. Your advice? Thanks

Answer: Mohs surgery is indicated for tumors greater than 2 cm in size on the leg, recurrent tumors (tumors that have been previously treated and came back), and tumors with aggressive characteristics under the microscope (Basal cell carcinomas that are "infiltrating, morpheaform, sclerosing, or micronodula . . .

Ask an Expert: Jeremy Bordeaux MD, MPH, Skin Cancer

Skin Biopsy

Kord Honda MD — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:07:00 EST

Question: Two years ago I had a shave biopsy on my lower leg. The lesion was blue/black in color, slightly raised, and 3mm. Those were the only abnormalities. The dermatologist performed a shave biopsy but apologized with having to go deeper to get to the lesion. The biopsy report showed a complete benign sol . . .

Answer: If you are concerned, I think that it is best to have a lesion reevaluated. A shave biopsy, if it is large enough (gives a good representation of the specimen), can be enough to diagnose melanoma.

Ask an Expert: Kord Honda MD, Skin Cancer

Mohs vs ED and C Procedure

Jeremy Bordeaux MD, MPH — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 17:06:00 EST

Question: I am a 64 year old male who loves the sun. I have a squamous cell on my cheek close to my eye. What are the advantages and disadvantes of each procedure? Are there other questions I should ask my doctor as I make this decision? Thank you.

Answer:

Advantages of mohs include:

highest cure rate
smallest amount of normal tissue removed
better looking scar compared to ED and C

Disadvantages of mohs: time and cost.

Advantages of ED and C: quick and cheap.

Disadvantages of ED an . . .

Ask an Expert: Jeremy Bordeaux MD, MPH, Skin Cancer

New Basal Cell

Jeremy Bordeaux MD, MPH — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:12:00 EST

Question: I had Mohs surgery about 2 months ago for basal cell that was there for 2 to 3 years before I had it looked at. About 4 weeks ago a new spot showed up over my other eyebrow. Same area as the 1st just other side of my face. It seems to be changing faster than I remember the 1st spot (but I really did . . .

Answer: The spot needs to be biopsied. The treatment for skin cancer that has the highest possible cure rate and saves as much normal skin as possible is mohs surgery. Mohs surgery is reserved for "high risk" skin cancers because it is time intensive. Things that make skin cancers high risk include location . . .

Ask an Expert: Jeremy Bordeaux MD, MPH, Skin Cancer

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Jeremy Bordeaux MD, MPH — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:11:00 EST

Question: A punch biopsy of the labia majora was diagnosed as basal cell carcinoma. Given that basal cell carcinoma rarely occurs in this area, is there any other skin condition that could possible be misdiagnosed as basal cell carcinoma?

Answer: I agree that the location is odd for a basal cell carcinoma. However, diagnosing basal cell carcinomas under the microscope is quite easy for those who are appropriately trained. I would recommend making sure that a board certified DERMATOPATHOLOGIST has reviewed your slides and that that person kno . . .

Ask an Expert: Jeremy Bordeaux MD, MPH, Skin Cancer

Mohs Surgery Healing

Jeremy Bordeaux MD, MPH — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:11:00 EST

Question: I had Mohs Surgery done just above my eyebrow about 4 weeks ago. I can now feel one of the inside stitches poking through the skin. Is this something I should call the Dr. about or will it desolve on it`s own. I`m cleaning the area with peroxide and putting Aquaphor on twice a day.

Answer: Buried sutures that sometimes come to the surface are quite common. They are not dangerous. However, you should tell your doctor and visit them so they can help it heal faster.

Ask an Expert: Jeremy Bordeaux MD, MPH, Skin Cancer