Skin Cancer Care in Kansas City

Warning signs of skin cancer include:

• Changes in the shape, size or color of a mole or other skin lesion
• New growth on the skin
• Sores that do not heal

Screening Tests

Regular screenings by a dermatologist are encouraged if you or a family member has already had melanoma.

• Skin Exam: Dermatologists, or patients themselves, examine the surface of the patient's face, head and body for any new or abnormal changes (large, dark, misshapen or raised spots). Skin exams are quick and non-invasive.
• Skin Biopsy: All or part of any abnormal-looking growth is cut from the skin and viewed under a microscope to check for the presence of cancer.

Your dermatologist may refer you to a surgical, medical or radiation oncologist for treatment. However, physician assistants (PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs), nurses, nutrition specialists, social workers and other health and hospital professionals may be a part of your treatment team.

Some question you might consider asking a health care professional include:

• How far has my melanoma spread within or beneath the skin?
• What are the chances of my cancer growing or recurring?
• Should I take special precautions to avoid sun exposure?
• Are my family members at risk for skin cancer?

Skin cancer occurs when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells triggers mutations that lead the cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors.

Some causes of skin cancer are:

• Tanning beds
• Excessive sun light or ultraviolet rays
• Previous skin cancer
• Exposure to certain chemicals and radiation

Several factors that increase your risk of getting skin cancer include:

• Fair skin
• History of sunburns
• Moles and other precancerous skin lesions
• Family history of skin cancer
• Weakened immune system

A few ways to reduce your chances of skin cancer include:

• Avoiding intentional tanning
• Seeking shade on sunny days
• Wearing protective clothing and hats
• Applying sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher

If melanoma is recognized and treated early, it is almost always curable. If left alone, the cancer may advance and spread to other parts of the body, where it becomes hard to treat and can be fatal.

Working and speaking with your doctor can help determine which treatment option is best for you.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Physicians trained in Mohs surgery remove the visible tumor and surrounding tissue with a scalpel. The tissue is sectioned, frozen and examined under a microscope.

Excisional Surgery

Physicians remove the entire tumor, along with the surrounding normal skin. The wound is then sutured. The excised tissue is then sent to the lab for examination to verify that all cancer has been removed.

Cryosurgery

The physician freezes and destroys the cancerous tissue with liquid nitrogen, using a cotton-tipped applicator or spray bottle. There is not cutting or bleeding and no anesthesia is required.

Other methods include:

• Radiation
• Electrosurgery
• Photodynamic Therapy
• Laser Surgery
• Topical Medications