At Gaughf Dermatology, we believe that early diagnosis and rapid treatment are the keys to effective management of skin cancers.

We highly recommend every patient schedule an appointment for a complete body skin examination yearly.  You should develop a regular routine to inspect your body for any skin changes.

People who spend a lot of time outside, have used tanning beds, or have received multiple sunburns before age 18 are at increased risk for skin cancer as well as people with fair skin, hair, and eyes and those who sunburn easily. Skin cancer may also be hereditary. If a growth, mole, sore, or skin discoloration appears suddenly or begins to change, you should schedule an appointment.  Early detection is the key. Dr. Gaughf and her physician assistants are experts in the identification and treatment of skin cancers.

TYPES OF SKIN CANCERS

Melanoma

Malignant melanoma is the most deadly of all skin cancers.  Each year, more than 8,000 Americans will die from melanoma.  It is projected that more than 100,000 Americans will develop melanoma annually.  Melanoma may appear suddenly or may begin in or near a mole or another dark spot in the skin.  It is important to know the location and appearance of the moles on the body to detect changes early.  This skin cancer often appears in mixed shades of tan, brown, and black; although, it can also be red or white.  Melanoma can also appear as just a very small black spot and sometimes does not have variations in color. Look for the appearance of any moles that are very dark compared to your other moles as well as the warning signs listed below.

A dermatology provider must examine any changing mole.  Melanoma is curable when removed in an early stage. Melanoma readily metastasizes making early detection and treatment essential to increase survival rates.

Dark skin is not a guarantee against melanoma. People with skin of color can develop melanoma, especially on the palms, soles, under the nails, in the mouth, or on the genitalia.

Risk factors for melanoma are:
  • Sunburns before the age of 18
  • Fair skin, red hair, light or blue eyes
  • History of dysplastic or atypical moles
  • Large number of moles
  • Family history of melanoma
Melanoma Warning Signs:

A – Change in the Asymmetry of a mole
B – Irregular border
C – Color change
D – Change in the diameter of a mole or the development of a new mole
E – Evolving or enlarging
F – Feeling or symptom

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinomas are more common on areas of the skin that have been exposed to the sun but can occur anywhere on the body.  It may appear as a red sore, red patch, smooth bump, bleeding lesion or a spot that will not heal. These are highly unlikely to spread to other areas of the body. However, many patients have multiple basal cell carcinomas over different parts of the body.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer. These can appear as a rough, red, scaly patch or can also appear as a quickly growing nodule. When diagnosed early squamous cell carcinoma has a high cure rate but if left untreated they sometimes can be deadly.

What We Do:

A suspicious mole or skin lesion may be removed and biopsied. If a skin biopsy reveals cancer, we can choose from an array of the most advanced medical treatments and surgical procedures available today depending upon the type of cancer, its location, size and what would be most appropriate for the particular individual.

  • Local Excision
  • Frozen Excision – For select skin cancers Dr. Gaughf excises the tissue for immediate pathology results the same day.
  • Electrodessication & Currettage – Destruction of the skin cancer without sutures using a scrape and burn method.
  • Topical Chemotherapy – Imiquimod
  • Erivedge (a new oral treatment for Basal cell carcinoma)
  • Superficial Radiation

Keratoacanthoma

A keratoacanthoma is a skin lesion that quickly erupts on sun damaged skin, much like a volcano.  They may start due to a minor injury on sun damaged or hair-bearing skin. They arise from hair follicle skin cells for unknown reasons.   Initially, it may appear like a small pimple or boil then quickly enlarge. Keratoacanthoma is considered to be a variant of squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer.  Most commonly these are treated surgically.