Skin Cancer Specialists Peabody MA

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

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Skin Cancer Specialists FAQ in Peabody, MA

How often is skin cancer fatal?

Death from basal and squamous cell skin cancers is uncommon. It’s thought that about 2,000 people in the US die each year from these cancers, and that this rate has been dropping in recent years.

Is skin cancer treated by a dermatologist or an oncologist?

Most basal and squamous cell cancers (as well as pre-cancers) are treated by dermatologists – doctors who specialize in treating skin diseases. If the cancer is more advanced, you may be treated by another type of doctor, such as: A surgical oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with surgery.

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.

What does Stage 1 skin cancer look like?

At first, cancer cells appear as flat patches in the skin, often with a rough, scaly, reddish, or brown surface. These abnormal cells slowly grow in sun-exposed areas.

How long can a person live with squamous cell carcinoma?

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) generally has a high survival rate. The 5-year survival is 99 percent when detected early. Once SCC has spread to the lymph nodes and beyond, the survival rates are lower. Yet this cancer is still treatable with surgery and other therapies, even in its advanced stages.

What kind of doctor should I see for skin cancer?

Dermatologists are experts in caring for the skin and have more experience diagnosing skin cancer than any other doctor. You can find a dermatologist by going to, Find a dermatologist.

What vitamins fight melanoma?

Some studies report that normal levels of vitamin D 3 at the time of diagnosis are associated with a better prognosis in patients with melanoma. High circulating vitamin D concentration has been found to be associated with reduced melanoma progression and improved survival.

Who is the best doctor for skin cancer?

Dermatologist. A dermatologist is a doctor who’s trained to diagnose and treat conditions that involve the skin, hair, and nails. This type of physician plays an important role in diagnosing skin cancer.

Does skin cancer make you tired?

General symptoms of metastatic skin cancer can include: fatigue. malaise. weight loss.

What part of the body is most common for melanoma?

They most often develop in areas that have had exposure to the sun, such as your back, legs, arms and face. Melanomas can also occur in areas that don’t receive much sun exposure, such as the soles of your feet, palms of your hands and fingernail beds.

What organ system does melanoma affect?

Melanoma can spread to parts of your body far away from where the cancer started. This is called advanced, metastatic, or stage IV melanoma. It can move to your lungs, liver, brain, bones, digestive system, and lymph nodes.

What happens if melanoma is caught too late?

If melanoma is caught and treated early, it also responds very well to treatment. However, when it is not treated early, it can advance and spread to other parts of the body and can be fatal. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, over 7,000 people will die from melanoma this year alone.

What happens if a 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.

How curable is skin cancer?

Nearly all skin cancers can be cured if they are treated before they have a chance to spread. The earlier skin cancer is found and removed, the better your chance for a full recovery. Ninety percent of those with basal cell skin cancer are cured.

What does late stage skin cancer look like?

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