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Skin cancer can develop on any part of your body where there is skin. About 80 percent of skin cancers appear on the face, head, or neck. Skin cancer can be disfiguring and harmful.

At Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery, Dr. Sinno can help you repair and restore skin affected by skin cancer. If your skin cancer is first treated by a dermatologist or another physician, Dr. Sinno will coordinate his plan of care with that physician.

What causes skin cancer?
Who gets skin cancer?
Is it skin cancer?
What kind of doctor treats skin cancer?
How is the skin cancer treated?
How can the skin be reconstructed?
How can skin cancer be prevented from occurring again?
Next steps . . .

WHAT CAUSES SKIN CANCER?
The primary cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet radiation, which usually comes from the sun. Artificial light sources such as sunlamps and tanning booths also emit ultraviolet light rays that can harm the skin.

WHO GETS SKIN CANCER?
Anyone can get skin cancer regardless of their age, race, skin type or color, Certain individuals have a higher genetic predisposition for skin cancer.

You may be at greater risk for developing skin cancer if you have one or more of the following characteristics:

Your skin is fair and freckles easily.
You have light-colored hair and eyes.
You have a large number of moles, or moles of unusual size or shape.
You have a family history of skin cancer or a personal history of blistering sunburn.
You spend a lot of time working or playing outdoors.
You live closer to the equator, at a higher altitude, or in any place that gets intense, year-round sunshine.
You received therapeutic radiation treatments for adolescent acne.

IS IT SKIN CANCER?
There are several types of skin cancer and their symptoms can vary widely in appearance. Skin cancer is diagnosed by removing all or part of the growth and examining its cells under a microscope.

Symptoms may first appear as small, white or pink nodule or bumps. Sometimes the cancerous area can be smooth and shiny, waxy, or pitted on the surface. Or, you might notice:
- a red spot that's rough, dry, or scaly
- a firm, red lump that may form a crust
- a crusted group of nodules
- a sore that bleeds or doesn't heal after two to four weeks
- a white patch that looks like scar tissue.

Watch for the "ABCD" warning signs of melanoma, a particularly dangerous type of skin cancer:
Asymmetry: A growth with unmatched halves
Border: Irregular, ragged or blurred edges
Color: A mottled appearance, with shades of tan, brown, and black, sometimes mixed with red, white, or blue
Diameter: A growth more than 6 millimeters across (about the size of a pencil eraser), or any unusual increase in size.

It’s not always easy to recognize skin cancer. Your best bet is to examine your skin regularly from head to toe. Don’t forget to have your back and your scalp checked. If you notice any unusual bumps, discoloration, or anything unusual or suspect, have it checked by your primary care physician or make an appointment with Dr. Sinno at the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery so that it can be examined soon.

WHAT KIND OF DOCTOR TREATS SKIN CANCER?
If you are suspicious about a growth or discoloration on your skin, consult a plastic surgeon or a dermatologist for an evaluation. Plastic surgeons and dermatologists are both skilled at diagnosing and treating skin cancer and other skin growths.

At Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery, Dr. Sinno can surgically remove the growth. He will evaluate the area to be treated to allow you to maintain as much function possible. Most of all, he will ensure that your appearance after treatment looks good, and that you feel positive about the results. Some pre-cancerous lesions can be treated using topical creams (e.g. Efudex) or by freezing (Cryosurgery).

HOW IS THE SKIN CANCER TREATED?
Dr. Sinno can remove your skin cancer surgically. If the cancerous area is small, he will do the procedure at the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery, using a local anesthetic

Depending on your situation, Dr. Sinno will choose one of several approaches for removing the cancer. The procedure may require be a simple excision, which usually leaves a thin, barely visible scar. Sometimes he uses curettage and desiccation. This approach allows him to scrape out the cancer with an electric current, which controls bleeding and kills any remaining cancer cells. This leaves a slightly larger, white scar.

In either case, the risks of the surgery are low.

If the cancer is large, however, or if it has spread to the lymph glands or extended into the deep tissues, major surgery (done in the hospital) may be required. Other possible treatments for skin cancer include:
- freezing the cancer cells (cryosurgery)
- radiation therapy (use of x-rays)
- topical chemotherapy (anti-cancer drugs applied to the skin)
- Mohs surgery - a special procedure in which the cancer is shaved off one layer at a time. Mohs surgery is performed only by specially trained physicians, with a reconstructive procedure done afterward by Dr. Sinno.

You should discuss these choices thoroughly with your doctor or with Dr. Sinno before beginning treatment. Dr. Sinno can advise you about which options are available, how effective they likely will be for your particular kind of cancer, and the possible risks and side effects of the treatment.

HOW CAN THE SKIN BE RECONSTRUCTED?
Techniques used to treat skin cancers may leave a person with less-than-pleasing cosmetic or functional results. Depending on the location and severity of the cancer, you might see anything from a small but unsightly scar to permanent changes in your facial features, such as the nose, ear or lips.

In such cases—no matter who performs the initial treatment—a plastic surgeon can be an important part of the treatment team. Reconstructive techniques can often repair damaged tissue, rebuild body parts, and restore most patients to acceptable an appearance and function.

At Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery, we will work closely with your surgeon to help you complete your skin cancer treatment with the best possible results.

HOW CAN SKIN CANCER BE PREVENTED FROM OCCURRING AGAIN?
After you've been treated for skin cancer, you will want to schedule regular follow-up visits with Dr. Sinno or your dermatologist to make sure the cancer hasn't recurred and to detect any new lesions early.

Regular doctor visits won’t prevent recurring skin cancer. It's up to you to reduce your risks by changing old habits and developing new ones. These preventive measures apply to people who have not had skin cancer as well.

Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, especially between 10 AM - 2 PM and during the intense sun of summertime. Remember, ultraviolet rays pass right through water and clouds, and reflect off sand and snow.
When you are outside for an extended period of time, wear protective clothing such as wide brimmed hats and long sleeves.
On any exposed skin, use a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. Reapply it frequently, especially after you've been swimming or sweating.

NEXT STEPS . . .
Don’t wait! Contact the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery to schedule an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Sinno. It is important to make sure you take care of potential skin cancer risks, and a professional does the surgery to minimize any potential scars or deformities.