Pre-Cancerous Spots
Pre-cancerous lesions may or may not become cancerous. You can reduce your risk of developing skin cancer by having pre-cancerous lesions diagnosed and treated by a dermatologist.
What Are Pre-Cancerous Lesions
Pre-cancerous lesions are often the first signs that you are at risk for skin cancer. The growths and dark spots are abnormal cells that should be diagnosed and treated to prevent cancer from developing. The most common types of pre-cancerous lesions are:
Moles, yet not every mole is a pre-cancerous lesion
Actinic keratosis, the most common type of pre-cancerous lesion
Cutaneous horns that typically occur in older patients and people with light skin
Actinic cheilitis that occurs on the lips
What Causes Pre-Cancerous Lesions?
Pre-cancerous cells (also known as actinic keratosis) are rough, and scaly lesions on the skin that develop from years of sun exposure. These lesions are commonly found on your face, lips, ears, hands, scalp, and arms. These lesions can enlarge slowly after time and can usually cause no symptoms other than the rough and scaling.
How Are Pre-Cancerous Lesions Treated?
If you notice an abnormal growth or a mole that has changed size or shape, you should have the lesion examined by a board-certified dermatologist. If it turns out to be a pre-cancerous lesion, treatment options include removal of lesions via biopsy, freezing (cryotherapy) of the lesion(s), and/or photodynamic therapy. Photodynamic therapy is a treatment that is used to prevent 80% of future skin cancers. This treatment combines the use of a photosensitizer, and a light source to stimulate the photosensitizer to destroy the specified cancerous cells.
What Should I Expect From Pre-Cancerous Lesion Treatment?
Depending on the treatment selected for the treatment of pre-cancerous cells determines the post-operative care. Removal of the lesion via biopsy includes a definitive diagnosis of the lesion and requires just antibiotic ointment and a band-aid until healed. Cryotherapy treatment for pre-cancerous cells have no downtime – but follow up visits to a MDLI provider will be need once a month until lesion is removed. For photodynamic therapy treatment it is advised to have a consultation to discuss all the instructions and information needed.
Am I A Good Candidate For Pre-Cancerous Lesion Treatment?
If you have an abnormal growth or dark spot on your skin, we recommend you schedule an appointment to have the area examined.
Pre-cancerous lesions can develop into skin cancer that spreads to surrounding tissues and, possibly, other areas of your body. The board-certified dermatologists at Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute, offer men and women in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Kendall and surrounding communities in Florida treatments for pre-cancerous lesions. To learn more about our treatments for pre-cancerous lesions, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
