Skin Cancer
For more information on skin cancer and other skin conditions visit our
Patient Education Center.
Skin cancer is the leading form of cancer worldwide but, fortunately, it is the most curable.
Dr. Van Dam and our staff are expertly trained to identify potentially cancerous lesions. Upon examination a biopsy may be recommended. Treatment depends on the form of skin cancer diagnosed, and the location and size of the lesion. Dr. Van Dam may treat you personally for an effective and cosmetically pleasing result, or refer you to a colleague with dedicated expertise in treating skin cancer.
If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer, you are at greater risk to develop skin cancer again. Skin cancer prevention for individuals of any age, with or without high risk or prior diagnosis of skin cancer includes:
- Avoiding sun exposure at peak times: 10am - 3pm
- Applying sunscreen daily
- Wearing protective clothing outdoors, including a hat
- Stop smoking - an additive factor in causing skin cancer
- Avoid indoor tanning
Throughout life the ultra-violet rays of the sun damage and weaken the skin. For years dermatologists have advised patients about daily sun protection from infancy and throughout life.
Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. In addition, products that contain the ingredient "Parsol" (or avobenzone) provide added protection against the damaging UVA rays. Non-chemical physical barriers such as micronized titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are also very helpful in protecting even sensitive skin from sun damage.
How you use your sunscreen as important as what you use. Most people use too little sunscreen and fail to attain maximum benefit. A tablespoon is an appropriate amount to cover the face, back of neck and tops of the ears; a 1/4 cup, or two ounces, is appropriate to cover the average adult body. In addition, it is recommended that sunblock be reapplied every 1 1/2 to 2 hours if you are swimming or perspiring heavily.
Melanoma and Indoor Tanning
For years, dermatologists suspected that indoor tanning increased the risk of melanoma. A study published in the June 2010 issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, "Indoor Tanning and Rsk of Melanoma: A Case-Control Study in a Highly Exposed Population," finally confirmed the connection. The study found that those who had indoor tanned at all, or fell into the category of "ever use", were 1.74 times more likely to develop melanoma. Read the study on Melanoma and Indoor Tanning.
Pre-Cancerous Lesions and Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a treatment option for pre-cancerous lesions called actinic keratoses. PDT using Levulan® and OmniLux Revive is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The treatment involves application of a liquid medication (Levulan®) that is activated (after one hour) by exposure to a special lamp, the OmniLux Revive.
The advantages of PDT are:
- It is a relatively quick treatment (about 45 minutes in the office)
- Healing is complete in about a week for most people.
Photodynamic therapy is a three step process:
- First, the skin is cleansed to remove oil and dead skin cells, which improves penetration of the medication, Levulan®.
- Next, the medicine (Levulan®) is applied and left in place for approximately 60 minutes.
- Finally, the OmniLux lamp is used for about 10 minutes to "activate" the medication.
The treatment usually causes the face to become red, similar to a sunburn. It is not a true sunburn, since no ultraviolet rays are used, but it looks and feels like a sunburn for a few days. Strict sun-avoidance is required for two days after the treatment but normal sun-protection measures should always be used during and after recovery. Return to normal appearance usually occurs after 7-10 days.
Most patients require only one PDT treatment, but sometimes additional treatments (2-4) are necessary to achieve the desired result.
Please ask any member of our staff if you have questions about the health or beauty of your skin. At Van Dam Dermatology and Laser Center, our goal is to eliminate your actinic keratosis and give you healthy skin for life.
