Skin cancer affects 1 out of every 5 Americans over the course of their lives. Early detection and prompt treatment greatly increase the chance for full recovery. Both Dr. David and Dr. Jordana Herschthal specialize in skin cancer treatment, making The Herschthal Practice your first choice for skin cancer assessment and care. We serve patients in the Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and the Fort Lauderdale, FL, areas.

What Are the Main Types of Skin Cancer?

There are three primary types of skin cancer, each named for the skin cells affected. Melanoma is the most serious skin cancer. When untreated, melanoma can become life-threatening in as little as six weeks. Squamous cell carcinoma isn’t as life-threatening as melanoma, but it can cause local destruction and invasion of surrounding tissue and spread to other parts of the body when left untreated. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common and least threatening of the main skin cancer types. Typically found in sun-exposed areas, these develop slowly and may be mistaken for unhealed sores. Basal cell carcinomas can also cause local destruction and invasion of surrounding tissue. These carry a small but real risk of spreading to other parts of the body.

What Affects My Risk of Skin Cancer?

People who spent a significant amount of time outdoors, whether sunbathing, using tanning beds, or simply being active outside, have an increased risk of skin cancer. Exposure to sunlight causes most incidents of skin cancer. Family history can be a factor, but it accounts for less than 5% of skin cancer cases. People with more moles than average have a greater risk of developing melanoma. Those with light colored eyes, fair, pale white skin, often with freckles, have the greatest risk of developing skin cancer.

Are There Any Signs I Should Look Out for on My Skin?

Round spots, darker than the surrounding skin, minor blemishes, freckles, and moles usually appear because of sun damage, age, genetics, and other environmental or chemical exposures. However, if these seem to be changing in size or color, book a visit to The Herschthal Practice as soon as possible. Starting at the age of 40, you should have an annual skin cancer screening performed by a dermatologist.

Melanoma may appear on parts of the body that aren’t normally exposed to the sun. Melanomas can be flat or textured, irregularly shaped, and they vary widely in color from pink to black. The mnemonic, “ABCDE” helps assess a spot that needs immediate medical assessment:

  • A – The spot is asymmetrical, not round
  • B – The borders of the spot are uneven or ragged in appearance
  • C – Unusual or uneven colors indicate potentially troubling spots
  • D – Those spots with a diameter larger than one-quarter inch should be checked
  • E – A spot that is evolving

What Are Benign Skin Cancer Growths?

Benign growths are growths in the skin that are non-cancerous. These often develop from the same source as melanoma growths, which lead many patients to seek medical attention. These benign growths are simply moles. However, it is important to monitor the growth of moles and any changes that may occur, as these are signs of melanomas. The easiest way to determine if a growth is cancerous or benign is to visit a dermatologist for examination.

What is Surgical Dermatology?

Surgical dermatology includes a number of techniques that are most often used for the treatment of skin cancer. These treatments involve the surgical removal of cancerous growths, eliminating cancer from the body to effectively treat skin cancer. At The Herschthal Practice, we use surgical dermatology as well as other dermatologic techniques to provide safe and effective skin cancer treatment.

What Types of Skin Cancer Treatments Are Available?

Depending on the type of skin cancer being treated, there may be multiple treatment options. When choosing the best treatment option, we consider the severity of the cancer, its location, and the patient’s personal preference. At The Herschthal Practice, we specialize in many advanced and effective cancer treatment techniques, including Mohs surgery, which has an astonishingly high cure rate of about 99%. To learn more about our cancer treatments, visit the pages below:

 

How Much Does Skin Cancer Removal Cost?

Many skin cancer related procedures are covered by health insurance, taking much of the financial burden off of your shoulders. To determine your coverage and out-of-pocket expenses for skin cancer treatment, schedule a consultation with us today. To help keep our treatments both affordable and accessible, we accept all major credit cards as well as financing through CareCredit®.

Skin cancer is a serious condition, so The Herschthal Practice offers effective treatments and resources for early detection to minimize its effect on our patients. We offer skin cancer treatments to residents of Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and the neighboring areas of Florida.

What Our Patients Say

Result Matters

I love Dr. J, she is the best. She is so talented at what she does and I always trust her judgement not to overdue things and maintain an age appropriate natural look. Patient since 2015

Katherine Peterson

I see Dr Jordan Herschthal. She takes her time listening and is very knowledgable. I feel confident in her care… and she is very nice:)

Patti Poff

Dr Herschthal is excellent. Extremely thorough and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend Dr. Herschthal.

Ken Anenberg

Skin Cancer removal