What are Skin Cancers?
Skin cancer tends to appear on sun-exposed skin and in individuals with lighter skin tones. A family history of skin cancer also increases risk. Early diagnosis and treatment are important. The most common type of precancer on the skin is actinic keratosis, a rough, scaly patch that forms from chronic exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun or indoor tanning. It is also called solar keratosis.
The three major types of skin cancer are melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Each type is named according to the type of skin cell it affects. When cells at the base of the epidermis are affected, it is a basal cell carcinoma. When the cancer cells appear in the upper layers, it is a squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma, the most aggressive skin cancer, affects the skin's pigment cells. It appears as a black or brown mole. At Mountain View Dermatology and Aesthetics in Tucson, AZ, Dr. Marc I. Epstein and his team provide the most advanced and effective skin cancer treatments available.
How are Skin Cancers Treated?
Your personalized treatment will depend on the size, location, depth, stage, and type of skin cancer. The most effective form of treatment involves full removal of the growth. Some of our removal procedures are minimally invasive, noninvasive, or surgical and may be performed on an outpatient basis with local anesthesia. Mountain View Dermatology and Aesthetics offers Image-Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy (IG-SRT) for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers. This treatment option requires no surgery or downtime and offers an extremely high cure rate. Image-Guided SRT kills skin cancer cells using low levels of x-ray energy. Contact our office in Tucson, AZ to learn more.
What are the symptoms of skin cancer?
It is important to recognize the symptoms of skin cancer in order to seek timely medical attention at Mountain View Dermatology and Aesthetics. Here is an overview of the common symptoms associated with skin cancers:
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
- Pearly or waxy bumps
- Flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesions
- Persistent open sores that won’t heal
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
- Firm, red nodules
- Flat lesions with a scaly, crusted surface
- Sores that heal and then reopen
Melanoma
- Large brown spots with darker speckles
- Moles that change in color, size, or feel
- Small lesions with irregular borders and portions that appear red, white, blue, or blue-black
Mountain View Dermatology and Aesthetics Reviews
Really happy with my results from Opus and BBL. I bought a package of 3 Opus treatments and could see a major difference after the first treatment. Shelley changes up the laser settings depending on the results I'm going for and I don't have the long downtimes I was experiencing with other treatments. Also found some incredible sunscreen.
Good service and very friendly staff!
Excellent
Very nice people at Mountain View. Had me in and out and I am already happy with my results!
I have been going to Mountain View Aesthetics since 2018. Rochelle has performed all of my skincare procedures. She does such a thorough job. My skin has never looked better. She explains in detail the difference between all of the procedures they offer. I highly recommend Rochelle.
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Total Reviews
4.9
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Protect Your Skin
To reduce your overall risk of skin cancer, it is essential to avoid excessive sun exposure, always use broad-spectrum sunscreen, and have skin cancer screenings at least once a year — or twice a year if you have a family history or personal past with skin cancer. Take time to protect yourself and your loved ones. If you need expert dermatological care, contact the team at Mountain View Dermatology and Aesthetics in Tucson, AZ for exams, detection, and treatment from an experienced specialist.