Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer Medical Conditions researched ForCare Medical Center Clinical Trials

Skin Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one in five people will develop a skin cancer. Fortunately, skin cancer is almost always curable if detected early with regular skin cancer screenings. Most skin cancers appear to be related to sun exposure.

The most common skin cancers are:

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. It tends to be slow growing and is characterized as a pink, translucent, pearly “pimple” or scaly patch that does not go away.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer, though faster growing.

Squamous cell carcinomas are characterized with red scaly tender hard bumps or red scaly patches with thicker scale. A squamous cell can arise from an actinic keratosis. This type of skin cancer does have the potential to spread especially if located on the ear, forehead, lip and top of hands.

Malignant Melanoma is the fastest growing cancer in the United States, and can be fatal if left untreated and not detected early. Malignant melanoma can spread to the lymph nodes, lung, and liver, and all other skin areas if not detected and surgically removed in time. Malignant melanoma can be characterized by a change in an existing mole or a new mole with irregular pigmentation, variation in color or depigmented, change in shape or oddly shaped, increase in size or irregular borders. It is recommended to be aware of what you have on your skin presently to be able to detect a possible change in any new or existing mole; early detection is key. If you notice any of these changes make an appointment as soon as possible for an evaluation.

New Bladeless, Electron-Beam Therapy (EBT) for Skin Cancer

Electron-beam therapy, also known as superficial electron therapy, is a non-invasive alternative to surgery for non-melanoma skin cancer, specifically basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Why Superficial Electron Therapy?

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer in the United States. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it is estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

While Mohs surgery is a well-documented and effective treatment for skin cancer, superficial electron therapy makes for an appealing alternative for patients seeking non-invasive treatment with potentially better cosmetic outcomes for skin cancer. This treatment is well-suited for treating cosmetically and functionally sensitive areas, such as the nose, ears, lips or around the eyes.

Superficial electron therapy works by damaging the cancerous cells while minimizing any damage to healthy, normal cells without creating any incisions in the skin. The total length of treatment time will be dependent on several factors, such as the size and location of the cancer.

In most cases, treatment can be completed in 10 to 30 sessions, with each session lasting less than five minutes. Patients can return to their normal daily routines (meetings, social engagements, recreational sports and even swimming) right after the treatment visit. Superficial electron therapy requires no recovery time. Another benefit of electron-beam therapy is that patients may remain on prescribed blood thinners or other medications without any interruptions.

Want to Learn More? Contact ForCare Today!

Dr. Forman and Team ForCare are trained to remove skin cancer in various ways. Depending on the type of skin cancer that is present, Dr. Forman and his professional staff will discuss with you the appropriate treatment options and create a plan suitable for you.

To find out if you are a candidate for Superficial Electron Therapy, please call the office or fill out the contact form below.