As the providers of Dermatology Associates of Atlanta often stress to patients, skin is your protective barrier against germs, disease, and damage to internal organs. Skin cancer affects many people and can be life threatening if it is not properly treated.  Our skincare specialists are committed to providing patients with effective treatments for all of their skin conditions and concerns.

According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. Non-melanoma cancers such as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma are found at the base of the outer layer of skin. They typically appear on areas of the body that are sun-exposed including the face, tops of hands, lips and neck. Melanoma, although less common, is a very serious type of skin cancer that begins in the melanocytes.

At Dermatology Associates of Atlanta, we offer a wide-range of skin cancer treatments including cryosurgery, topical chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, laser treatments and Mohs skin cancer surgery. Cryosurgery uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy cancerous or precancerous skin lesions. This treatment is applied directly to skin and can treat basal and squamous cell carcinoma as well as actinic keratosis (pre-cancerous) skin growths.

Topical chemotherapy is cream used directly on the skin once or twice a day for several weeks, depending on your condition.  Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses an injection of a photosynthesizer and laser light to destroy cancerous tissue.  Laser treatments may also be recommended in place of cryosurgery for patients who tend to scar easily. Our board certified dermatologists treat non-melanoma skin cancers in high risks areas with the most technically advanced treatment, Mohs skin cancer surgery. This procedure takes place on site, in our surgical suite, where our board certified dermatologists remove the lesion layer by layer without damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Mohs surgery is very precise leaving little chance for re-growth, and it is effective for removing skin cancer on sensitive areas like the face. For melanoma patients, a wide excision technique is used to remove the cancer and those with deeper high risk melanoma with questionable lymph node involvement may be referred to a melanoma surgeon.

Skin cancer treatments are most effective when the cancer is diagnosed early. It’s important to have an annual skin cancer body check to spot and discuss any skin conditions you may have. If you are interested in learning more about skin cancer, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact our office. Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for the latest dermatological news and information.