Skin Cancer Specialist

What are the signs of skin cancer?

Skin cancer can cause scaling and flaking, textural changes, and other signs that can be difficult to detect without an exam. One of the most common evaluations used to evaluate lesions that might be melanoma is the ABCDE method:

• Asymmetry: Lesions that are not symmetrical, but have odd, uneven shapes
• Borders: Lesion edges that are uneven, ragged or blurry
• Color: Varying colors, which may include a mottling of brown, black, red, white, pink, and even blue
• Diameter: Lesion width is greater than that of a pencil eraser (about 1/4 inch)
• Evolving: Lesion has changed in size, shape, or color, or begins itching or bleeding

Different types of cancer cause different signs. The best way to determine if you have the early stages of skin cancer is to have regular annual exams.

How will Dr. Harris determine if I have skin cancer?

Dr. Harris performs a complete examination of your skin from head to toe, including your toenails, scalp, inside the mouth, and tongue, where skin cancer signs often go unnoticed. When a suspicious area or lesion is identified, he takes a biopsy — a very small sample of the skin in that area — for evaluation under a microscope. Those results indicate if the lesion is cancerous, precancerous, or benign (non-cancerous).

What treatments are available for skin cancer?

Once a lesion has been identified as cancerous or precancerous, Dr. Harris uses a special biopsy technique to remove it. During the procedure, the visible portion of the lesion is removed and the edges are examined under a microscope to ensure all the cancerous cells have been removed. If the edge evaluation indicates more cells are present, Dr. Harris excises additional skin. This approach ensures all the cancer is removed while minimizing the amount of scarring.