DIAGNOSIS OF SKIN CANCER: To diagnose skin cancer, a dermatologist looks at the skin. A dermatologist will carefully examine growths, moles, and dry patches. To get a better look, a dermatologist may use a device called a dermoscope. The device shines light on the skin. It magnifies the skin. This helps the dermatologist to see pigment and structures in the skin. If a dermatologist finds something that looks like skin cancer, the dermatologist will remove it (or part of it). The removed skin will be sent to a lab. Your dermatologist may call this a biopsy. Skin cancer cannot be diagnosed without a biopsy. Skin cancers may have many different appearances. They can be small, shiny, waxy, scaly and rough, firm and red, crusty or bleeding, or have other features. Therefore, anything suspicious should be looked at by a physician. See the articles on specific skin cancers for more information. Here are some features to look for: Asymmetry: one half of the abnormal skin area is different than the other half Borders: irregular borders Color: varies from one area to another with shades of tan, brown, or black (sometimes white, red, blue) Diameter: usually (but not always) larger than 6 mm in size (diameter of a pencil eraser) Any skin growth that bleeds or will not heal Use a mirror or have someone help you look on your back, shoulders, and other hard-to-see areas. A biopsy is quick, safe, and easy for a dermatologist to perform. A biopsy should not cause anxiety. The discomfort and risks are minimal. aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/q---t/skin-cancer/diagnosis-treatment health.nytimes/health/guides/disease/skin-cancer
Posted on: Sat, 07 Sep 2013 15:17:57 +0000
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