Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer: Early Diagnosis is Key

Skin Cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in the United States, affecting millions of people each year. Fortunately, when detected early, it’s highly treatable. This webpage delves into the different types of skin cancer, their symptoms, diagnosis methods, treatment options, and prognosis. It also provides information on misdiagnosis and a free consultation for you with the Baltimore skin cancer lawyer.

Types of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer arises from abnormal growth of skin cells, often triggered by unrepaired DNA damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. The main types of skin cancer are:

• Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): This is the most common type, typically appearing as a pearly or waxy bump, often on sun-exposed areas like the head and neck. It rarely spreads but can grow deep if left untreated.
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): The second most common, SCC presents as rough, scaly patches or red, firm bumps, also on sun-exposed areas. While less aggressive than melanoma, it can spread to nearby lymph nodes if neglected.
• Melanoma: The least frequent but most serious form, melanoma can appear anywhere on the body and takes various shapes and colors. The “ABCDE” rule can help identify potential melanomas:
  • Asymmetry: One half unlike the other.
  • Border: Irregular, notched, or blurred.
  • Color: Uneven distribution of brown, black, tan, or red.
  • Diameter: Larger than 6 millimeters (¼ inch) in diameter.
  • Evolving: A mole or skin spot that changes in size, shape, or color.

Melanoma and Squamous cell carcinoma are the two types of skin cancer cases that the Baltimore skin cancer lawyer at the Kopec Law Firm deals with most.

Symptoms & Diagnosis

The most prominent sign of skin cancer is a new or changing growth on your skin. However, other potential symptoms include:

• A sore that doesn’t heal
• Bleeding from a mole
• Itching, tenderness, or pain in a mole
• Darkening of an existing mole

Early detection is crucial. If you have reported suspicious changes to your doctor and they failed to make the proper diagnosis, then you should speak with the Maryland skin cancer lawyer.

During an examination, a dermatologist should closely inspect your skin, possibly using a dermatoscope – a magnifying instrument with a light source – to get a better view. If a spot raises concern, then a biopsy might be recommended. This involves extracting a small tissue sample for examination under a microscope to confirm the presence and type of cancer.

Stages & Treatment

The stage of skin cancer determines its severity and the course of treatment. Staging typically involves assessing the size of the tumor, its depth of invasion, and whether it has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body. When you contact the Maryland skin cancer lawyer at the Kopec Law Firm, we will discuss your specific stage with you and analyze your potential case.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

• Treatment: Typically involves surgical removal with excellent cure rates. Mohs surgery, a specialized technique that removes cancerous tissue while preserving healthy tissue, is often used for BCC. Other options include radiation therapy, cryotherapy (freezing), or topical medications for superficial BCCs.
• Prognosis: BCC rarely spreads and has a very high cure rate with early detection and treatment.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• Treatment: Similar to BCC, the primary treatment is surgical removal. Depending on the stage, additional treatments like radiation therapy or chemotherapy might be recommended.
• Prognosis: The prognosis for SCC is generally good if caught early. The earlier the diagnosis, the higher the cure rate.

Melanoma

• Treatment: Surgical removal is the mainstay of treatment for early-stage melanoma. For advanced stages, additional therapies like immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or radiation therapy might be employed.
• Prognosis: Melanoma’s prognosis varies greatly depending on the stage at diagnosis. Early detection is critical, with a five-year survival rate exceeding 99% for localized melanoma. However, the rate decreases significantly if it has spread to other organs.

Next Step: Contact the Maryland Skin Cancer Lawyer

You can see from the prognosis discussions above how important early diagnosis is in skin cancers. If you have been the victim of delayed diagnosis of skin cancer, visit the free consultation page or video. Then contact the Kopec Law Firm at 800-604-0704 to speak directly with Attorney Mark Kopec. He is a top-rated Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer. The Kopec Law Firm is in Baltimore and pursues cases throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C.