Skin Cancer Specialists Kokomo IN

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

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Skin Cancer Specialists FAQ in Kokomo, IN

Which skin cancer has the best prognosis?

The subtypes of BCC that have a better prognosis are nodular and superficial. Desmoplastic SCC and adenosquamous carcinoma of the skin tend to come back after treatment and have a less favourable prognosis.

What are the warning signs of basal cell carcinoma?

A shiny, skin-colored bump that’s translucent, meaning you can see a bit through the surface. A brown, black or blue lesion — or a lesion with dark spots — with a slightly raised, translucent border. A flat, scaly patch with a raised edge. A white, waxy, scar-like lesion without a clearly defined border.

Where is the first place skin cancer spreads to?

Doctors have known for decades that melanoma and many other cancer types tend to spread first into nearby lymph nodes before entering the blood and traveling to distant parts of the body.

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%.

At what age is skin cancer most common?

[1-4] In contrast to most cancer types, melanoma skin cancer also occurs relatively frequently at younger ages. Age-specific incidence rates increase steadily from around age 20-24 and more steeply in males from around age 55-59. The highest rates are in in the 85 to 89 age group for females and males.

How long can you have basal cell carcinoma before it spreads?

The cancer is the result of cumulative damage of years spent in the sun, and may take 20 years to manifest. Although it’s often more common in older people, it can occur in younger adults, too. Basal cell carcinoma spreads very slowly and very rarely will metastasize, Dr. Christensen says.

What are 3 treatments for skin cancer?

Simple excision, Mohs micrographic surgery, curettage and electrodesiccation, and cryosurgery are used to treat basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.

What does late stage skin cancer look like?

Hard lump on the skin. Hard or swollen lymph nodes. Fatigue. Unexplained pain.

Which cancers are hardest to detect?

Pancreatic cancer doesn’t garner much treatment success for a number of reasons: It’s hard to detect early. The pancreas is deep within the body so there aren’t signs people can detect easily. The disease spreads quickly to other nearby organs, including liver, intestines, and gall bladder.

What do cancerous age spots look like?

Spots that become asymmetric, have borders that shift, get darker or lighter, or change in diameter should be checked for skin cancer. Speed of changes. Age spots tend to shift from pink to yellow to tan to brown over several years. Spots that are changing more rapidly should be evaluated.

How do doctors know if skin cancer has spread?

For people with more-advanced melanomas, doctors may recommend imaging tests to look for signs that the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. Imaging tests may include X-rays, CT scans and positron emission tomography (PET) scans.