Skin Cancer Specialists Los Gatos CA

Find Skin Cancer Specialists in Los Gatos, CA. Whether you’re seeking treatment or looking to schedule a preventative screening, we can connect you with the best dermatologists near you in Los Gatos, CA.

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Skin Cancer Specialists FAQ in Los Gatos, CA

How long does it take for melanoma to spread to organs?

How fast does melanoma spread and grow to local lymph nodes and other organs? “Melanoma can grow extremely quickly and can become life-threatening in as little as six weeks,” noted Dr. Duncanson.

What are the 4 types of skin cancer?

Basal cell carcinoma. Basal cells are the round cells found in the lower epidermis. Squamous cell carcinoma. Most of the epidermis is made up of flat, scale-like cells called squamous cells. Merkel cell cancer. Melanoma.

Can you live with skin cancer for years?

Overall, 9 in 10 people diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer today are predicted to survive their disease for at least ten years.

What are the odds of dying from skin cancer?

The five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes is 99%. The five-year survival rate for melanoma that spreads to nearby lymph nodes is 68%. The five-year survival rate for melanoma that spreads to distant lymph nodes and other organs is 30%.

What type of skin cancer is most difficult to treat?

Melanoma is not as common as basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas but is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. If left untreated or caught in a late-stage, melanomas are more likely to spread to organs beyond the skin, making them difficult to treat and potentially life-limiting.

Can I have skin cancer for years and not know?

For example, certain types of skin cancer can be diagnosed initially just by visual inspection — though a biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. But other cancers can form and grow undetected for 10 years or more , as one study found, making diagnosis and treatment that much more difficult.

What do cancerous sun spots look like?

The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred. The color is not the same all over and may include shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of pink, red, white, or blue. The spot is larger than ¼ inch across – about the size of a pencil eraser – although melanomas can sometimes be smaller than this.

What are the early warning signs of malignant melanoma?

The most important warning sign of melanoma is a new spot on the skin or a spot that is changing in size, shape, or color. Another important sign is a spot that looks different from all of the other spots on your skin (known as the ugly duckling sign).

What happens if skin biopsy is positive?

Generally, after a patient receives positive melanoma results, his or her doctors will need to proceed with staging the malignancy— which essentially means determining the extent of the cancer—and developing a treatment plan based on how far the cancer has progressed.

What can be mistaken for melanoma?

Nevus (mole) Moles, also known as nevi, are one of the most common growths that people find on their skin. Growing mostly in early adulthood these are some of the growths most commonly mistaken for melanomas.

What are the 3 most common skin cancers?

But this common form of cancer can also occur on areas of your skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight. There are three major types of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.