Skin Cancer and Dermatology - Colorado Springs Is a Good Place for Treatment

Cancer - It's one of the most frightening words in the English language, and increasingly, skin cancer is becoming a real concern among many. Unfortunately, it's not an easy prospect to face. More than 3.5 million people hear this diagnosis on an annual basis, and if you're one of them, you may be wondering where to turn.

Fortunately, a growing specialty among doctors is dermatology. Colorado Springs, alone, plays host to hundreds of dermatology professionals, and it's doctors like these who can help you overcome this debilitating diagnosis.

What Happens Now?

After you've located a professional who can treat your illness, the next step is an evaluation of your condition. There will be a thorough visual examination, and you can typically expect to have a biopsy done as well. Unlike in some other cancers, a biopsy is typically a fairly quick procedure in the event skin cancer is suspected, and you can expect the entire thing to take place in under an hour right in your dermatologist's office. The sample is then sent to a lab, and if you do indeed have one of the forms of skin cancer, the next step is for your dermatologist to go over your treatment options.

Possible Treatments

For the most part, your course of treatment will depend highly on the type of skin cancer you are diagnosed with as well as the extent of your condition. There are, though, a few fairly common treatment options that may be possible in your case.

Mohs Microscopic Surgery is one of the newest, and best, courses of treatment for many. The overall goal is that of almost any surgical procedure - to remove the affected tissue - but it's the way in which this task is accomplished that makes this such a unique procedure. At the outset, the surgeon takes out a tiny piece of the tumor and looks at it through a microscope. Then he continues that process, mapping the tumor out as he goes, until the entire thing is removed. The advantages here are tremendous. First, the success rate is nearly 98%, and it works on very large lesions that haven't responded well to other treatment options. Second, it's an outpatient procedure that can be performed in many surgical centers. Finally, it's ideal in the event that the lesion occurs on your face or other visible parts of your body, as much of the skin tissue is preserved using this technique.

Skin cancer can be frightening, but one of your best options is working with a clinic that specializes in dermatology. Colorado Springs has much to offer in this arena, so it's essential that you find the right practitioner to meet your needs.