Skin Cancer Specialists West Bloomfield MI

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

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Skin Cancer Specialists FAQ in West Bloomfield, MI

Which is worse basal or squamous?

Though not as common as basal cell (about one million new cases a year), squamous cell is more serious because it is likely to spread (metastasize). Treated early, the cure rate is over 90%, but metastases occur in 1%–5% of cases. After it has metastasized, it’s very difficult to treat.

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.

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 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.

Can you live a full life after melanoma?

almost all people (almost 100%) will survive their melanoma for 1 year or more after they are diagnosed. around 90 out of every 100 people (around 90%) will survive their melanoma for 5 years or more after diagnosis.

What happens if you test positive for skin cancer?

The goal of treatment is to remove all of the cancer. For this reason, surgery is often part of the treatment plan. When found early, a type of surgery called excision surgery may be the only treatment you need. A dermatologist can often perform this surgery during an office visit while you remain awake.

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 is the least fatal type of skin cancer?

Basal cell carcinoma Most common form of skin cancer but the least dangerous. Appear as round or flattened lump or scaly spots. Red, pale or pearly in colour. May become ulcerated, bleed and fail to heal.

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.

What is the slowest spreading skin cancer?

Basal cell carcinoma accounts for more than 90 percent of all skin cancers in the United States and is the most common of all cancers. Typically, it is a slow-growing cancer that seldom spreads to other parts of the body.

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.

Can a doctor tell if a mole is cancerous just by looking at it?

A visual check of your skin only finds moles that may be cancer. It can’t tell you for sure that you have it. The only way to diagnose the condition is with a test called a biopsy. If your doctor thinks a mole is a problem, they will give you a shot of numbing medicine, then scrape off as much of the mole as possible.

Does melanoma show up in blood work?

Blood tests aren’t used to diagnose melanoma, but some tests may be done before or during treatment, especially for more advanced melanomas. Doctors often test blood for levels of a substance called lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) before treatment.