Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is by far the most prevalent form of malignant tumor. Close to one million new cases are reported in the United States each year.
The most common types of skin cancer are:
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Melanoma
Skin cancers often extend below the visible tumor on the skin surface. They can invade and destroy underlying structures such as muscle and bone.
Skin cancers can metastasize or spread to other parts of the body. The probability of spreading varies depending on the type of cancer.
With basal cell carcinoma, metastasis is rare; it only occurs with longstanding large tumors. Squamous cell carcinoma is more aggresive; metastatic spread is infrequent but more likely than with basal cell carcinoma. Melanoma is a very different and far more dangerous kind of skin cancer. The likelihood of spread with melanoma is more common than basal cell and squamous cell cancers, and is directly related to its depth of invasion into the skin.
Regardless of the type of skin cancer, it is important to treat it as soon as possible. With appropriate and timely treatment, the cure rate with Mohs Micrographic Surgery for both basal and squamous cell carcinoma approaches 98%.
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