Skin Cancer
Early detection. Expert care. Peace of mind
The most common types of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. Each has unique characteristics and several subtypes that influence how the cancer behaves and how it should be treated. Factors like cancer type, stage, location on the body, and individual patient risk all play a role in determining the best treatment plan.
While non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) such as BCC and SCC typically grow more slowly than melanoma, there are exceptions—and all skin cancers require expert evaluation and care. When caught early, most skin cancers are highly treatable with excellent cure rates.
At Total Dermatology, our team prioritizes prevention, early detection, and evidence-based skin cancer treatment. From routine skin checks to advanced surgical care, we’re here to guide you every step of the way with experience, precision, and compassion.
Protect your skin and your health—schedule a skin cancer screening with Total Dermatology today. Early detection can save lives.
Types of Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer, often caused by long-term UV exposure from the sun or tanning beds. It typically develops decades after sun damage and most often appears on sun-exposed areas such as the face, neck, scalp, and arms—though it can occur anywhere on the body.
BCC often starts as a red or pearly bump with visible tiny blood vessels on the surface. In many cases, it may bleed easily or resemble a sore that just won’t heal. While basal cell carcinoma rarely spreads to other parts of the body, it will continue to grow if left untreated. Over time, it can cause significant local tissue damage, disfigurement, or even impair body function in critical areas. In rare cases, BCC can spread to lymph nodes or distant organs.
Treatment
We take a personalized and evidence-based approach to basal cell carcinoma treatment, with the goal of achieving the highest cure rate while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
The gold standard treatment for BCC is complete surgical excision, which removes the cancer along with a small margin of healthy tissue. This method is highly effective for most cases.
For low-risk BCC subtypes, certain non-surgical treatments—such as topical therapies or localized tissue destruction—may be appropriate, especially when the lesion is small and located in a non-critical area.
In more complex cases, we often recommend Mohs surgery, a specialized, tissue-sparing technique that offers the highest cure rates while minimizing cosmetic and functional impact. Mohs is ideal for:
- BCCs with high-risk features
- Large lesions
- Tumors on cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas (like the face, hands, ears, feet, or lower legs)
- Areas with limited skin flexibility
- Cases where a previous surgery didn’t fully remove the lesion
Our dermatologic surgeons are highly experienced in Mohs surgery and other advanced skin cancer treatments. We’ll guide you through your options and recommend the best approach based on your diagnosis, location of the cancer, and overall health.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type of skin cancer, typically developing on sun-exposed areas such as the face, ears, neck, arms, and hands. While sun damage is the most common cause, SCC can also arise in chronic wounds, radiation-treated areas, or from viral warts in less common cases.
In its early stages, SCC often appears as a red, scaly patch or a crusted, tender bump. Some lesions may have a hard, wart-like surface or a horn-like cap. As it progresses, SCC can form a painful, eroded sore that doesn’t heal.
Unlike basal cell carcinoma, SCC has the potential to spread to nearby lymph nodes and other parts of the body. While many cases are slow-growing, certain aggressive forms of SCC can spread quickly and require urgent medical attention.
Treatment
We use the most advanced, evidence-based treatments to care for patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)—with a focus on achieving the highest cure rates while preserving healthy tissue and function.
The gold standard for treating SCC is complete surgical excision, which involves removing the cancer along with a margin of surrounding healthy skin. For certain low-risk SCC subtypes, less invasive treatments such as topical medications or local tissue destruction may be effective.
For more complex cases, we often recommend Mohs surgery—a precise, tissue-sparing technique that removes cancer layer by layer while preserving as much healthy skin as possible. Mohs surgery for SCC is typically preferred when:
- The lesion has high-risk features
- The tumor is large or located in cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas (such as the face, hands, ears, feet, scalp, or lower legs)
- There is limited tissue flexibility in the treatment area
- A prior excision failed to completely remove the cancer
Our board-certified dermatologic surgeons are highly trained in Mohs micrographic surgery, offering patients the most effective treatment available for aggressive or recurrent SCC.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, but when detected early, it’s also one of the most treatable. The earliest and most curable form is known as melanoma in-situ, where cancer cells are confined to the top layer of the skin. When caught at this stage and fully removed, melanoma has an excellent cure rate.
However, once melanoma grows deeper into the skin, it becomes more serious and can spread to other parts of the body—including lymph nodes and internal organs. That’s why early detection and treatment are critical.
Melanoma can develop anywhere on the body—including areas that don’t get much sun, like the scalp, nails, or even the bottoms of the feet. Most cases are related to UV exposure from sunlight or tanning beds, and while melanomas are usually dark brown or black, some are non-pigmented (amelanotic) and harder to spot.
Warning signs of melanoma include any dark or discolored spot that:
- Grows or changes shape quickly
- Develops a new bump or sore
- Has uneven borders or multiple colors
- Appears in an unusual location
Our team is highly experienced in the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of melanoma. We perform thorough skin exams and guide you through your next steps with expertise and compassion.
Treatment
Early-stage melanoma is typically treated with complete surgical excision, often performed right in our office. When caught early—especially in the melanoma in-situ stage—removal is highly effective, with excellent long-term outcomes.
At Total Dermatology in Birmingham, most melanomas are treated using either standard surgical excision or mapped via “slow-Mohs” surgery, depending on the location, size, and depth of the tumor.
For more advanced melanomas that may require additional care, we coordinate closely with trusted medical and surgical oncology partners to ensure you receive seamless, comprehensive treatment.
Concerned about a mole or spot? Schedule a skin check today. Early detection and expert care are key to successful melanoma treatment.