Skin Cancer Specialist
-
- Tweet
SunWise Family Dermatology & Surgery
Dermatology Practice & Surgeons located in Middletown, DE & Dover, DE
Abnormal skin growths are often the first sign of skin cancer, and you should treat them seriously. At SunWise Family Dermatology & Surgery, Jennifer LaRusso, DO, and Gerard W. Stroup, PA-C, prevent, diagnose, and treat all kinds of skin cancer, and have a high success rate with Mohs surgery. If you live in or near Middletown, Delaware, and have an abnormal skin growth, don’t wait to seek treatment. Call Dr. LaRusso’s office today to schedule your appointment or book it online.
Skin Cancer Q & A
What causes skin cancer?
Abnormal skin cell growth leads to skin cancer. These cells grow uncontrollably, causing abnormalities, including cancer, and can spread to other areas.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States and is often caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Are there different types of skin cancer?
There are three primary forms of skin cancer:
Basal cell carcinoma
The most common form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma forms waxy, pink bumps that develop, most often, on your head and neck. It’s slow-growing and rarely spreads.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma forms in patches of red, scaly, or rough skin that appear on your hands, neck, head, lips, or ears. It’s more aggressive than basal cell carcinoma.
Melanoma
The most dangerous type of skin cancer, melanoma causes skin cells to make pigments and results in moles and lesions with irregularities in size, shape, and border. Melanoma is the cause of 75% of skin cancer-related deaths.
How is skin cancer treated?
Dr. LaRusso and Gerry offer a range of services for skin cancer treatment. Depending on the type of skin cancer you have and its progression, they may recommend:
- Topical medications
- Cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen)
- Narrowband UVB phototherapy (blue light)
- Excision
- Mohs surgery
As part of your treatment, Dr. LaRusso also takes preventive measures. She monitors the development of actinic keratosis (precancerous lesions) and watches for abnormal skin growth.
What is Mohs surgery?
One of only two doctors fellowship-trained in Mohs surgery in Delaware, Dr. LaRusso uses this highly efficient procedure to remove cancerous lesions from your face and body.
During this innovative skin cancer treatment, she removes layers of skin one at a time, examining each layer under a microscope, looking for skin cancer cells. She continues to remove each layer of skin until she reaches a layer without cancer cells.
Mohs surgery has the highest skin cancer cure rate, and Dr. LaRusso has a high success rate. Vastly experienced, she’s traveled throughout Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania performing the procedure.
If you’re at risk for skin cancer, don’t wait. Early detection dramatically improves your remission success. Call SunWise Family Dermatology & Surgery today to schedule your initial consultation. You can even book your appointment online.
