Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that kills thousands of people each year. William Gillen, MD, Patricia O'Connor, MD, and the team of professionals at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, are committed to finding and diagnosing melanoma at its earliest stages which is crucial for treatment. In these early stages, treatment can be done in our office. When necessary, our skilled providers are experienced in developing interdisciplinary treatment plans. Above all, they are dedicated to educating their patients on skin cancer prevention. Schedule your skin cancer screening today by calling the nearest Richmond-area office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

What are Melanoma?

Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer, which is particularly disconcerting since more and more people are being diagnosed each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the incidence of melanoma in the United States has doubled over the past 30 years.

Melanoma arises when your melanocytes develop a mutation leading to their uncontrolled multiplication and growth. Melanocytes are the cells in your body responsible for giving your skin its color. It's difficult to pinpoint the exact cause for this mutation that leads to melanoma, but it's likely a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Many experts think that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the leading cause of melanoma. UV radiation exists in high concentrations in tanning beds and the sun.

The most important component in the treatment of melanoma is early diagnosis. Maintaining regular skin cancer screenings with the team of experts at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center is crucial to effectively treating and preventing melanoma.

What are the symptoms of Melanoma?

Melanomas tend to be visible blotches of color on your skin. They're similar to moles as they both are derived from melanocytes, but more often than not, melanomas arise on their own and NOT in an existing mole. They can develop anywhere on your body, from highly visible areas that are exposed to the sun (like your face, legs, arms, and back) to hidden areas, like in your eye, mouth, digestive tract, or under your nail.

To distinguish normal moles from melanomas, it helps to remember your ABCs:

  • Asymmetrical shape
  • Borders that are irregular
  • Color that's changed, uneven, or irregular
  • Diameter larger than ¼ inch
  • Evolving, or changes in size, shape, or appearance over time
  • Look infected
  • Suddenly change in size and shape
  • Are itchy
  • Spontaneously bleed

If you notice any changes in your moles or skin that seem abnormal, schedule an appointment with Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center immediately for an evaluation.

What are the risk factors for Melanoma?

You're more likely to develop melanoma if you have:

  • A weakened immune system
  • A family history of melanoma in a first-degree relative
  • Many moles or unusual moles (also called 'atypical' or 'dysplastic')
  • Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light
  • A history of frequent sunburn, especially blistering sunburns at a young age
  • Fair skin and/or red hair

Living closer to the equator or living at a higher elevation also puts you at a higher risk of developing melanoma, since you're exposed to higher amounts of UV radiation from the sun.

How do you treat Melanoma?

If your doctor suspects that you have a melanoma, they first take a biopsy, which involves removing a sample of tissue for testing. If your biopsy tests positive, the depth of your melanoma will determine your treatment plan. All melanomas need to be removed in their entirety with some margin of normal skin surrounding them to ensure they are completely gone.

If your melanoma has reached a certain depth in your skin, your doctor may send you for evaluation of your lymph nodes. If it is determined that your melanoma has spread beyond your skin, to your lymph nodes or beyond, you might need more aggressive treatment, which can include:

  • Surgery to remove your affected lymph nodes
  • Immunotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy

Slow Mohs Surgery for Melanoma in Situ

Melanoma in situ is a superficial form of early melanoma that involves only the top layer of skin. There are several forms of melanoma in situ, some of which tend to spread out over the surface of the skin like an oil slick. When these cancers develop on the head and neck, or other critical anatomic sites, they can be treated with a modified form of Mohs surgery called “slow Mohs,” with the goal of minimizing the amount of normal tissue sacrificed while still removing the entire cancer.

In this procedure, Dr. Gillen will surgically remove the cancer with a narrow margin of normal tissue that will be sent to a dermatopathologist for microscopic evaluation using special stains. The dermatopathologist will communicate results to Dr. Gillen, typically the following morning. Patients return the following day for either an additional stage of “slow Mohs” or for reconstruction with stitches, depending on the results communicated by the dermatopathologist.

Because results are not immediately available, patients will be bandaged after removal of the skin specimen and sent home, returning the following day for the next stage of the procedure. This process allows comprehensive margin evaluation, similar to standard Mohs surgery while using special stains that are helpful in evaluating melanoma. The most important benefit of this technique is that it allows Dr. Gillen to follow any microscopic extensions of the melanoma, thereby avoiding any cancer being left behind.

To learn more about your melanoma treatment options, schedule a visit with Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center today by calling the office nearest you, or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

How can we help

Services

Service Offered: Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and can be dangerous if it's left untreated. Routine skin cancer screenings with one of our expert team members at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center located in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, ensure early detection and treatment to prevent complications. Call our office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Mohs Surgery
Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery is a very safe and effective outpatient surgical procedure for removing certain types of skin cancer. This technique focuses on the complete removal of the skin cancer with a cure rate as high as 98-99% depending on the cancer type, size, and location. Our Mohs surgeons, William Gillen and Shields Callahan, MD at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center are fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons located in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia. Using a microscope to examine the margins, they can be very precise in determining when the cancer has been removed, thus preserving normal surrounding tissues and allowing the smallest possible surgical wound.

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Service Offered: Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is a common skin cancer typically on sun-exposed skin that can arise from the pre-cancers, actinic keratoses. Seeking treatment early for any unusual, painful, or non-healing site can prevent serious complications associated with skin cancer. At Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, William Gillen, MD, Patricia O’Connor, MD, and their team diagnose and treat squamous cell carcinoma by removing skin lesions with surgical techniques, including Mohs surgery, or other more conservative procedures, if appropriate. Call the nearest Richmond-area office today, or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. At Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, William Gillen, MD, and Patricia O’Connor, MD, offer treatment for this type of cancer that usually appears as a bump or pinkish patch of skin. If you suspect you have basal cell carcinoma or any form of skin cancer, contact the office right away to set up an appointment. Call either Richmond-area office to speak with a team member or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Melanoma
Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that kills thousands of people each year. William Gillen, MD, Patricia O'Connor, MD, and the team of professionals at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, are committed to finding and diagnosing melanoma at its earliest stages which is crucial for treatment. In these early stages, treatment can be done in our office. When necessary, our skilled providers are experienced in developing interdisciplinary treatment plans. Above all, they are dedicated to educating their patients on skin cancer prevention. Schedule your skin cancer screening today by calling the nearest Richmond-area office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Skin Disorders
Skin Disorders

Skin disorders can look unsightly, be embarrassing, or in some cases, indicate skin cancer. At Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, William Gillen, MD, Patricia O’Connor, MD, and their experienced team treat lumps, bumps, and rashes in patients of all ages. Call either Richmond-area office to schedule an appointment or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Injectables
Injectables

If you want to rejuvenate your appearance by minimizing facial wrinkles and fine lines, then injectables may be right for you. Patricia O'Connor, MD, and Eliza Hester PA-C at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center provide high-quality injectables and customized plans for their patients in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia. Schedule an injectables consultation today by calling either Richmond-area office, or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Psoriasis
Psoriasis

Roughly 7.4 million people in the United States are bothered by psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the skin, joints, and less commonly the cardiovascular system. If you have psoriasis, schedule a visit with a member of our general dermatology team at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia. A group of well-versed providers in the variety of treatment options available for psoriasis and will develop a plan to help you find relief from your condition. Booking an appointment is easy. Simply call the nearest Richmond-area office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Eczema
Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition that causes reddened and scaling skin and uncomfortable itching. Occasionally, this broken skin can become infected leading to pain and oozing. Our team at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, can help you manage eczematous conditions so you can live as normal and healthy of a life as possible and prevent the flares and infections associated with a broken skin barrier. Call either of the Richmond-area offices today to schedule your appointment and get relief from symptoms or, send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center