Skin Cancer

Most cases of skin cancer are quite treatable when found early. At ALLUSTRA DERMATOLOGY in the Heights, Houston, Texas, Brundha Balaraman, MD, provides patients with regular skin checks, recommendations for skin cancer prevention, and treatment when required. Call today to book a screening or have a suspicious area examined. Alternatively, use the online tool to schedule your appointment.

Why should I be concerned about skin cancer?

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. It describes abnormal skin cell growth and, when not treated early, can spread and cause complications. Sun exposure is a common reason people develop skin cancer, and all skin types are vulnerable. 

What are the signs of skin cancer?

Skin cancer sometimes shows up first as actinic keratosis, which are crusty, scaly growths caused by sun damage. Tanning bed use can also cause their development. Actinic keratosis is not skin cancer but can become cancerous if not treated. 

Skin cancer has three types, each with distinct characteristics:

Basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. It usually develops on sun-exposed parts of your body, including your face and neck. It might look like a flesh-colored or brown scar, scabbed or bleeding sore, waxy pink bump, or pearly lesion.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer. It usually shows up as a scaly, crusted lesion or firm, red nodule. Squamous cell carcinoma usually appears on the  ears, face, hands, or other sun-exposed areas of the body.

Melanoma

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. It may look like a mole with dark specks or one with changing characteristics. Regular mole checks done by you and the doctor screens for melanoma. 

Alert Dr. Balaraman if you notice a mole that changes in color or size, a bleeding mole, or a lesion with an irregular border. Melanoma lesions may be black, red, pink, blue, purple, or white. They may also burn, itch, bleed, or cause pain.

What puts me at risk for skin cancer?

Anyone can develop skin cancer, but certain factors make it even more likely:

• A history of sunburns
• Excessive sun exposure
• Fair skin
• Moles
• Living in a sunny climate
• Family or personal history of skin cancer
• A weak immune system
• Exposure to radiation or toxins

Dr. Balaraman recommends you always protect yourself from excessive sun exposure. Use sunscreen all year long and wear protective hats and clothing. Stay away from tanning beds as the ultraviolet light may also cause cell damage that leads to skin cancer.

Perform routine at-home skin checks and schedule an annual skin check at Allustra Dermatology.

How do you treat skin cancer?

If Dr. Balaraman detects skin cancer through a biopsy, she’ll develop a treatment plan for you. Depending on the location of the cancer or precancer, you might undergo:

• Excisional surgery
• Freezing
• Curettage and electrodesiccation
• Moh's micrographic surgery
• Topical chemotherapy
• Photodynamic therapy (PDT)

If skin cancer has spread, especially in the case of melanoma, you might need chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or systemic therapy.

To learn more, call the office today or book online.