How your dermatologists in Fairfax, VA, can help if you have skin cancer.
Skin cancer can be serious, especially the type of skin cancer known as melanoma. It’s an aggressive form of cancer that can be disfiguring and even fatal. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to surviving melanoma, and your dermatologist/plastic surgeon can help.
Dr. Reza Mirali and Dr. Shabnam Shahabadi at Plastic Surgery and Dermatology Associates in Fairfax and Chevy Chase, VA, offer a wide variety of plastic surgery and dermatology services, including diagnosis and treatment of melanoma.
These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about melanoma and melanoma treatment:
How can I prevent melanoma?
You need to protect your skin. Always wear sunscreen with SPF 15, or SPF 30 if you are outside for long periods. If you have fair skin and burn easily, you should wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50 or higher.
You should also check your skin and your moles regularly, looking for moles that have:
- A diameter larger than 6 millimeters
- An asymmetrical shape
- Ragged, irregular borders
- Changed in size, color, or shape
Who is at risk for melanoma?
People with fair skin, freckles, and who burn easily are the most at risk for melanoma.
How is melanoma diagnosed?
Melanoma is diagnosed through a biopsy. A small sample of tissue is removed, and the cells are examined microscopically to determine whether cancer cells are present, and what type and stage of skin cancer you have.
How is melanoma treated?
After melanoma is diagnosed, there are several forms of treatment that may be combined. Your doctor may recommend:
- Surgical excision to remove the cancerous cells
- Mohs micrographic surgery to remove melanoma layer-by-layer, with each layer examined under a microscope
- Radiation therapy to kill cancerous cells
- Chemotherapy used in combination with surgery and radiation to eliminate cancerous tissue
What happens after melanoma treatment?
At Plastic Surgery and Dermatology Associates, your doctors specialize in reconstructive surgery after skin cancer treatment. To read more detailed information about melanoma treatment, and reconstruction after skin cancer please click here.
To learn more about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of melanoma, call Dr. Reza Mirali and Dr. Shabnam Shahabadi at Plastic Surgery and Dermatology Associates in Fairfax and Chevy Chase, VA. You can reach them in the office by calling (703) 645-0077 so call today.