Skin Cancer

More than one million Americans develop skin cancer each year and over ten thousand die. Eight thousand will die of melanoma. The only real, effective treatment of melanoma is early detection and proper initial treatment. The ability to recognize skin cancer early, in a stage when it can be treated most effectively, relates to the specific training and experience of the examiner. During the last forty years, tens of thousands of moles have been examined and over one thousand melanomas have been treated by our staff. Dr. Rustad is a leading expert in Nebraska in the prevention and treatment of skin cancer.

Taking the Fear Out of This Treatable Skin Disease
We all know how pleasant being out in the sun can be. But, while sunlight is essential to survive, too much of it can cause considerable damage to your skin and increase the risk of skin cancer. And, as frightening as the words “skin cancer” may be, this is actually one of the most common problems treated by Dr. Rustad. Skin cancer can be cured before it becomes a serious threat if detection and early diagnosis is made properly and the cancer can be treated in its early stages.

Know What to Look For
The three most frequently occurring forms of skin cancer include: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

Cancerous Skin Conditions
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It usually appears as a small, fleshy bump or nodule most often on the head, neck, back or chest. Occasionally, these cancers may appear on the trunk as red patches. Basal cell carcinoma tends to run in families. People who have this cancer often have light colored eyes, hair and complexions and don’t tan easily. These tumors usually do not spread quickly. It can take many months or years for one to grow to a diameter of one-half inch. If untreated, this cancer will begin to bleed, crust over, heal, and can eventually grow quickly and become very large. Basal cell carcinoma can extend below the skin into the bone or deeper and cause serious local damage.

Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as a bump, or as a red scaly patch. They often arise out of actinic keratoses. This is the second most common skin cancer. It too is found in fair skinned persons. Typically, it is found on the rim of the ear, the face, lips and mouth. It is rarely found in dark skinned persons. This skin cancer can develop into large masses.

Malignant melanoma is the most deadly of all skin cancers and will develop on the skin of 44,000 Americans each year. Every year, an estimated 8,000 American will die from melanoma. The death rate is at last declining because patients are seeking help earlier. Like the less aggressive skin cancers, melanoma is almost always curable when detected in the early stages. Melanoma usually begins in the skin cells that produce the dark, protective pigment called melanin. 75% begin in pre-existing moles. It is melanin that makes the skin tan, acting as a partial protection against sun. Melanoma cells usually continue to produce melanin, which accounts for the cancers appearing in mixed shades of tan, brown and black. Melanoma can also be red or white. Melanoma spreads through both lymph chambers and the blood stream. It may suddenly appear without warning and can occur at any age, even in infants. It is important to know the location and appearance of the moles on our bodies so any change will be noticed. The most important step you can take is to have moles examined by a dermatologist with extensive diagnostic experience so that any early melanoma can be removed before it spreads. Melanoma is least associated with sun damage and tends to be familial.

You can also look for the features below that may suggest a brown spot or mole may be a melanoma. Known as the ABCDs of Melanoma Detection, they include:

Precancerous Skin Conditions
Actinic keratoses are small scaly spots most commonly found on the face, arms and back of the hands of individuals who have had significant sun exposure. If not treated, some actinic keratoses may become skin cancers, requiring more extensive treatment. If diagnosed in the early stages, these can be removed by cryotherapy (freezing), by applying a cream or lotion form of chemotherapy, or by chemical peeling, dermabrasion, laser surgery, or other dermatologic procedures for removing precancerous growths.

Know if You are at Greater Risk
Patients with fair skin and light eyes are more likely to develop skin cancer; however, it is essential to remember than anyone spending time exposed in the sun is predisposed. Those with medical conditions that cause an increased sun-sensitivity and older adults 40-50 also have a greater risk of acquiring an actinic keratosis.

Although most skin cancer manifests itself later in life, an increasing number of cases have been reported among individuals in their 20s and 30s, so you are by no means too young for a skin assessment.

Hope and a Solution
Rustad Dermatology offers several methods to successfully treat skin cancer. Dr. Rustad has the knowledge and years of experience to successfully remove tumors, especially if they are diagnosed in the early stages of development.

Nebraska’s Mohs Expert
Dr. Rustad brought Mohs technique of microscopically monitored cancer removal to Nebraska. This technique has produced a near 100% cure rate for basal and squamous cell carcinomas. We believe that this office was one of the first offices in the nation to employ fresh tissue Mohs technique.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery is a technique used to rid the body of a tumor without destroying any more healthy surrounding tissue than necessary. Dr. Rustad uses a microscope to get to the root of the cancer to ensure exact elimination and lessen the chance of regrowth. Mohs micrographic surgery is now universally recognized as a precise method for treating skin cancers. Mohs is commonly performed on an outpatient basis with a local anesthetic administered to the area around the tumor. Surgery usually begins early in the morning and is finished the same day unless the tumor is extensive. Periodic visits are recommended to check on your progress and spot any possible cancer recurrence as soon as possible. One of five patients with one skin cancer will develop another within five years, so follow-up is extremely important for early detection of any new lesions.

Of course, the best way to avoid getting skin cancer in the first place is through pre-emptive measures. Here are some basic helpful safety tips to keep in mind:

Committed to Ensuring Your Skin’s Health
Rustad Dermatology is dedicated to working with you to combat this serious disease. Cancer removal is done in the office, saving you both the expense and the stress of a hospital or surgical center. Plastic surgical repair is done immediately after the cancer has been removed providing the best cosmetic result.