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Skin Cancer Treatment in Beverly Hills

Focus on Prevention and Early Detection in Los Angeles

Skin Care and Laser Physicians has been offering its solutions and services for skin cancer treatment to Beverly Hills and other Los Angeles-area patients for nearly a decade. If a biopsy reveals malignant cells, we will discuss skin cancer treatment options, which vary according to the type, location, extent, and aggressiveness of the cancer, as well as the patient's general health. The goals of skin cancer treatment are to remove all of the cancer, reduce the chance of recurrence, preserve healthy skin tissue, and minimize scarring after surgery.

When you visit Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, we will assess you to see exactly what you will need in terms of skin cancer treatment and to help improve your appearance.

Types of Skin Cancer and Treatment

One of the main factors in developing a skin cancer treatment plan is determining the type of skin cancer present—if any. Moles, rough or discolored patches, and other suspicious growths on the skin may indicate the presence of cancer, or they may be benign. A biopsy can confirm the presence of cancerous cells, leading to a discussion about skin cancer treatment options.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

This is not only the most common form of skin cancer, it is the most common form of all cancers diagnosed in the United States each year. It gets its name from where it forms: in the basal cells, which sit at the bottom of the outermost layer of skin, known as the epidermis. Skin cancer treatment for basal cell carcinoma typically involves its removal, with Mohs being a very effective option, though topical or oral medications may also work to clear it up.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

When cancer forms in certain cells found throughout the epidermis, it's known as squamous cell carcinoma. Less common than basal cell carcinoma, this form of cancer can more readily spread, but is still effectively treated by removing the cancerous cells. Again, Mohs proves to be a skin cancer treatment method that removes the malignant cells while preserving the greatest amount of healthy tissue.

Melanoma

The most deadly and aggressive form of skin cancer is also the least common. Melanoma forms in the cells that produce pigment, and—if not caught early—can soon spread to other organs and systems throughout the body. Mohs is a possible solution, and the physicians at Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills offer skin cancer treatment options that make use of modern technology and techniques tailored to each specific patient.

Skin Cancer Prevention

While modern skin cancer treatment has advanced to the point that a patient's health and appearance can both be taken into consideration—and effectively preserved in a great many cases—the best method for avoiding complications is minimizing the risk of developing skin cancer in the first place. Though the disease can develop under a variety of circumstances, there are certain factors that may further encourage it to develop.

A commonality among the development of many skin cancers is exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Problems can arise from infrequent but intense exposures, as well as less-intense exposures that nevertheless have a cumulative impact. Adults who endured multiple burns as a child, or who spent multiple summers with their skin exposed to the sun for months at a time, face a higher risk than someone who took precautions.

Children and adults alike should routinely wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF factor of 30, applied about 15 minutes before any outdoor activity begins, whether the sun is shining or not. Most of the damaging ultraviolet radiation sent out by the sun still penetrates cloud cover and reaches the surface. In addition to sunscreen, or in place of it, physical protection against sunlight is also a good option. A shade-providing hat paired with pants and long sleeves can be quite effective.

When applying sunscreen or otherwise seeking to cover up, be sure to remember parts of the body that are easy to overlook, but where skin cancer can form: the tops of the feet, the tops of the ears, the lips, and the scalp.

Skin cancer can develop in areas that rarely—if ever—see sunlight, so these prevention tips can't eliminate the chance of developing a malignant tumor, though they can reduce the risk.

Early Detection and Skin Cancer Treatment in Beverly Hills

With prevention in place as the first line of defense, early detection is a close second, since discovering malignant cells before they have a chance to do much damage or spread allows your physician to start skin cancer treatment in an effort to provide the best possible outcome.

Any person's skin cancer treatment efforts should include annual skin checks with a dermatologist, who can spot suspicious moles and biopsy lesions as necessary.