Skin Cancer

If you are dealing with skin cancer, you don’t have to navigate the treatment process alone. Here at American Skin Institute, we’ve helped many patients in your situation and are ready to help you face this challenge. Our expert doctors, attentive staff, and our top of the line equipment are all at your disposal. All you have to do is get in touch with us, and we’ll work together to make your treatment a success!

The occurrence of skin cancer has been a growing problem in the United States, especially in states like California, where sunny days are much more prevalent and people often spend their weekends at the beach. Unfortunately, skin cancer is a disease that can be deadly if not treated before it begins to invade surrounding tissues or metastasize to organs throughout the body.

For the past few decades, health experts have emphasized how important it is for individuals to protect themselves from the harmful effects of the sun. However, increased awareness unfortunately has not eliminated skin cancer altogether, and an estimated 9,000 – 10,000 people die each year from this disease. The most unfortunate part; cancer of the skin has very high cure rates when detected early, but Americans just don’t give this problem the attention it deserves, don’t conduct self examinations, and don’t schedule skin exams on a regular basis.

At American Skin Institute we’ve worked very hard to increase patient awareness of the deadly risks of this cancer, and over the years, have been able to help countless patients by treating skin cancer and helping them heal. One of our most preferred techniques is Mohs skin surgery, a treatment that provides very high cure rates and preserves more of the patient’s healthy tissue at the treatment site.

types of skin cancer treated

The two types of skin cancer most often referred by dermatologists for surgical removal are Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Basal Cell Carcinoma. These cancers are rarely fatal if caught early, but still pose a significant danger of disfigurement, as both types of these lesions may have roots extending into the surrounding tissue. If these roots are not completely removed through surgery, the cancer cells are likely to form a new lesion and continue to grow, eventually causing significant loss of healthy tissue in the area, and requiring extensive surgery.

A worse scenario is the development of Melanoma. This cancer has very high mortality rates if left untreated or is discovered too late. For example, even with early discovery there is an expected 2% mortality rate, which makes it vital to use the most effective procedures to remove the cancer and keep it from returning.

Dermatology is a branch of medicine that focuses on diagnosing, treating and preventing conditions of the hair, nails and skin. Medical doctors who are interested in pursuing a career in dermatology are required to complete an internship and residency that lasts at least four years. They are also required to be certified by the American Board of Dermatology. Our dermatologists are qualified to treat a variety of diseases that affect the skin, which is the body’s largest organ.