Skin Cancer

Please call today for your skin check up!!

Dr. Howard L. Brooks can provide accurate diagnosis and treatment for the common types of skin cancer listed below. Early detection is important for the early diagnosis of skin cancer, so keep an eye on any moles and schedule regular check-ups . Dr. Brooks is a leading expert in mole evaluation, skin cancer evaluation and treatment.

Every person should be concerned about anything unusual on their skin. With exposure to the sun, regardless of your color, please consider a complete skin evaluation.

Many Studies have found that sunburns and excessive sun exposure may increase a person's risk for the disease, so the American Academy of Dermatology recommends:

• Stay out of the sun between the hours of 10 and 3
• Never go to tanning booths
• Wear sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours while exercising or sweating
• Wear a hat and sunglasses while outdoors

Most Common Types Of Skin Cancer:

BASAL CELL CARCINOMA (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer. It develops in areas of sun exposure and may take 20 - 30 years to grow. This tumor of the skin usually appears as a small, fleshy bump or nodule on the head, neck or other part of the body. The tumor does not spread quickly and may take months or even years to reach the diameter of half an inch. This type of skin cancers rarely spread to other organs. The most common appearance is an elevated, pearly white colored, irregular shaped and ulcerated lesion. However, they can be pigmented, nodular shaped or appear as an irritated reddish plaque. Although basal cell carcinoma rarely spreads to other parts of the body, it can extend below the skin and outwardly causing considerable damage.

SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA (SCC) is generally related to chronic sun exposure, however, one might see this cancer after burns, radiation damage, damage to the immune system and long standing ulcers or sores. These tumors may appear as bumps or red, scaly patches. Squamous cell carcinoma is typically found on the rim of the ear, the face, the lips and mouth. The tumors can become larger and even can spread to other parts of the body if neglected.

Generally, the cancer is confined to the outer skin layer (epidermis), but can penetrate deeper and get out of control.Most SCC are seen in the sun exposed parts of the body and take a long time to develop. Mucous membranes can be affected and a common area is the lower lip.

There are lesions found on the skin that can be precursors to the eventually formation of this skin cancer, such as:

• Actinic Keratosis rough, scaly reddish patches on the skin from sun exposure
• Actinic Cheilitis white to pale scaly patches and dry, cracked looking lips from sun exposure.
• Bowens Disease - a scaly, brown to red patch the growing along the surface of the skin.
• Erythroplakia - slightly raised reddish areas inside the mouth that bleed easily
• Leukoplakia - white patches inside the mouth which a less worrisome than Erythroplakia.

Malignant Melanoma

It's estimated that this type of skin cancer will affect 32,000 Americans every year. But, if detected in its early stages, malignant melanoma can almost always be cured. Melanoma may suddenly appear without warning - but may also begin in or near an existing mole or other dark place on the skin. See below for an explanation of the ABCD's of melanoma.

VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION : Knowing Your ABCD's
Recognize the warning signs of malignant melanoma by using this easy-to-remember guide:

A stands for asymmetry. Beware of moles where one half doesn't match the other half in shape.

B stands for border. Watch for moles with ragged, blurred or irregular borders or edges.

C stands for color. Look for uneven coloration, more than one color, or moles with unusual colors.

D stands for diameter. Give special attention to moles with a diameter larger than the size of a pencil eraser.

If you would like to enhance your appearance or if you simply have questions, please contact us. Dr. Howard L. Brooks is Washington DC's Top Cosmetic Dermatologists' and a leading expert in complexion blending, facial correction and dermatology ( click here to see our before and after pictures). You can turn back the hands of time with facial transformation: Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse, Dysport, Perlane, Restylane, Latisse , please call us today for your complimentary consultation. We would like to provide you with the most current information on skincare and help you achieve the best results.