Your skin's job is essential—it protects you from bacteria and other substances and helps control your body's temperature. The skin's three main layers are the:
- Dermis (middle layer)
- Epidermis (outer layer)
- Hypodermis (inner layer closest to bone)
Most skin cancers occur in the epidermis. Exposing your skin to harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun or tanning beds increases your risk of developing skin cancer. Having light skin or a family history of skin cancer also increases your risk.
Our cancer experts offer prompt diagnosis of all skin cancers. We treat:
Actinic keratosis
Actinic keratosis is not skin cancer. But these changes to skin cells can become cancer if left untreated.
These growths or patches usually occur on sun-exposed areas. Symptoms of actinic keratosis include:
- Dry or scaly skin patches
- Growth or patches that are pink, red, tan or white (or a combination of colors)
- Raised or rough growths
Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma occurs when round cells in the skin's epidermis begin to grow in ways that aren't typical. This cancer type is the most common and is highly treatable when diagnosed early.
Basal cell carcinoma symptoms include:
- Raised or shiny areas
- Red patches
- Sores
- Scaly or crusty patches
Melanoma
Melanoma is cancer that develops in the cells that create pigment that gives skin its color (melanocytes). While less common than other skin cancers, melanoma can spread to the body's other organs.
If you have a lot of moles, it's important to check them for changes. Moles put you at higher risk for developing melanoma. Other risk factors include:
- Family history of melanoma or other skin cancers
- Having light skin
- Lots of sun or tanning bed exposure over time
Melanoma symptoms can be challenging to spot. The most important thing you can do is pay attention to any moles or other changes in your skin. Look for:
- Bleeding
- Border or color changes in moles or other spots
- Itchy or crusty spots
- Moles that are oddly shaped or have halves that don't match
Because melanoma can spread, it's important to keep an eye out for changes. When melanoma spreads to other parts of the body, it's called metastatic melanoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma occurs when the outermost flat cells in the epidermis grow in ways they shouldn't. It is the second most common skin cancer and is treatable when caught early.
Signs of squamous cell carcinoma include:
- Bleeding
- Itchy areas
- Red or scaly patches
- Sores
- Wart-like growths
Risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma include a history of sunburns and prolonged sun or tanning bed exposure. Family history of skin cancer and having light skin also increase your risk.
Skin cancers are often preventable and are highly treatable if diagnosed early. If you’re at higher risk of developing skin cancer, we recommend regular screening tests. Learn more about cancer prevention and screening.
Our specialists offer prompt, expert skin cancer diagnosis. Your doctor will begin by examining your skin and talking with you about health history.
Depending on the symptoms you’re experiencing, we might recommend that you have:
- Biopsy
- Excisional biopsy
- Incisional biopsy
- Punch biopsy
- Shave biopsy
- Imaging tests
We design a personalized treatment plan based on the skin cancer type and whether cancer has spread or is growing. Your doctor might recommend cancer treatments such as:
Local treatments
- Chemical peel
- Cryotherapy
- Laser surgery
- Photodynamic therapy
- Mohs surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Systemic therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
Our experts and partners also research new ways to treat cancer. Please read about our work at Sentara Health Research Center.
Our team offers cancer support services during skin cancer treatment. We offer classes and wellness programs to help you recover and feel your best.