What is it?

The skin, our body's largest organ, is made up of multiple layers. Skin cancer typically starts in the epidermis, which contains squamous cells in the upper layer, and can gradually extend to basal cells beneath the squamous cells, and melanocytes, the pigment cells.

Skin cancer can affect anyone and can occur on any part of the body. It develops primarily on areas frequently exposed to excessive ultraviolet light like the sun, tanning beds and sun lamps. It's important to monitor any new or evolving spots or bumps on your skin that exhibit unusual shape, color, size, or texture. If you observe any skin spots or bumps that itch, bleed, crust, or ooze, or if there are any unusual or questionable marks on your skin, contact us as soon as possible to schedule a consultation for further assessment. Remember, it's your skin, and it deserves protection.

In addition your annual skin inspection with a board-certified professional at Clarkston Dermatology, you can carry out regular self-examinations using the ABCDE method. If a spot or mole exhibits the following characteristics, consult a dermatologist immediately:

• A - Asymmetrical shape
• B - Irregular borders
• C - Color variation from one area to another
• D - Diameter larger than a pencil eraser
• E - Evolution in size, shape, or color since your last examination

You can reduce your chances of developing skin cancer by minimizing sun exposure and safeguarding your skin against UV rays. Although the sun can be enjoyable, it can also be harmful. Sun damage can accumulate throughout the year in Michigan, even during the chilly winter seasons. Remember to use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and limit your exposure to potentially harmful rays.

How is it treated?

To determine if you have skin cancer, our board-certified providers will first examine the suspicious area. If it appears potentially cancerous, we'll proceed with extracting a sample for additional examination. This procedure, known as a skin biopsy, enables us to send your tissue to our laboratory for diagnosis. Our laboratory is fully certified by the College of American Pathologists, signifying that it upholds the utmost standards for precision and quality.

A microscopic analysis in the lab will establish whether your tissue is benign (ordinary, non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). If it’s cancerous, our skilled skin cancer experts in Clarkston and Oxford, Michigan will identify the particular type of cancer and create a tailored treatment strategy. The Clarkston Dermatology team diagnoses and treats all types of skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) and sebaceous cell carcinoma.

Our dedicated cancer team is ready to provide you with the most advanced care. Our team has specialized training and certification across various skin cancer treatments like surgical excision, Mohs surgery, immunotherapy, targeted drug therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Being a part of DOCS Dermatology group, our practitioners also have access to state-of-the-art clinical trials for cancers that prove less receptive to conventional treatment.

Remember: Early detection is key to an effective treatment plan.