Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, affecting more Americans each year than breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancer combined. Skin cancer is essentially the abnormal growth of skin cells that multiply and form malignant tumors, often as a result of genetic defects or exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The three main types of skin cancer include basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and melanomas, as well as a variety of other types that are much less common and account for no more than one percent of all skin cancers.

Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas typically occur in areas that are exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck and hands, while melanoma typically occurs around the chest, back, and legs. In rare cases melanoma may develop near the eyes or even in the internal organs. Accounting for approximately 75% of all cancer cases, melanoma is the most common cancer in the world. It is one of the most preventable and treatable with early detection, but it’s considered a major health concern that affects people worldwide. While the disease strikes people of all ages, most cases are diagnosed in people ages 45 to 54, appearing more frequently in men than in women.

The risk of skin cancer has only been increasing in the past decade, as more people are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. With earlier detection and improved treatments from specialists like Dr. Daniel C. Allison, located in Los Angeles, CA, patients diagnosed with skin cancer can be effectively treated and live a long healthy life. Dr. Allison is one of the few Los Angeles orthopedic oncologists in the nation with advanced knowledge of melanoma’s warning signs, early detection, and treatment, catching the cancer before it spreads.