Many of us in Australia who enjoy the sun and outdoor living are acutely aware of the dangers of skin cancer. Yet we’re often unsure of the many different types of skin cancer, their causes and treatments. Rest assured Dr Buckland has the expertise and has undergone considerable training to deal with all forms of skin cancer.
BCC - Basal
Cell Carcinoma
The discovery of a red lump or open sore on your skin can be of great concern. It could be a Basal Cell Carcinoma, or ‘BCC’ for short. Dr Buckland has extensive experience in dealing with BCCs and can offer a solution.
BCCs are abnormal, uncontrolled growths or lesions that arise in the skin’s basal cells which line the deepest layer of the epidermis – the outermost layer of the skin.
They often look like open sores, red patches, pink growths, shiny bumps, or scars and are usually caused by a combination of cumulative UV exposure and intense, occasional UV exposure. BCCs can be highly disfiguring if allowed to grow, but almost never spread beyond the original tumour site.
Only in exceedingly rare cases can BCCs spread to other parts of the body and become life-threatening. BCCs are the most frequently occurring form of skin cancer.
How Do You Treat A Basal Cell Carcinoma?
Dr Buckland is a highly skilled skin cancer plastic surgeon who can provide accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma skin cancers. For more information contact us today.
SCC - Squamous
Cell Carcinoma
Have you noticed a scaly red patch, growth or something resembling a wart on your skin? That’s when you should turn to Dr Buckland who has extensive experience and training in treating this form of skin cancer.
Squamous Cell Carcinomas (SCCs) are uncontrolled growths of abnormal cells arising in the squamous cells, which compose most of the skin’s upper layers (the epidermis). SCCs often look like scaly red patches, open sores, elevated growths with a central depression, or warts and they may form a crust or bleed.
SCCs are mainly caused by cumulative UV exposure over the course of a lifetime and can become disfiguring and sometimes deadly if allowed to grow. They may occur on all areas of the body including the mucous membranes and genitals, but are most common in areas frequently exposed to the sun, such as the rim of the ear, lower lip, face, bald scalp, neck, hands, arms and legs. Often the skin in these areas reveals tell-tale signs of sun damage, such as wrinkling, changes in pigmentation, and loss of elasticity.
How Are They Treated?
Dr Buckland is a highly skilled skin cancer plastic surgeon who provides the accurate diagnosis and treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma skin cancers. To find out more, contact us today.
Malignant Melanoma
As the most dangerous forms of skin cancer, a Malignant Melanoma is most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds. If you have a concern about a Malignant Melanoma, talk to Dr Buckland.
These cancerous growths develop when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells triggers mutations (genetic defects) causing the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumours. They originate in the pigment-producing melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis and often resemble moles with some even developing from moles.
Malignant Melanomas are caused mainly by intense, occasional UV exposure which has frequently led to sunburn, especially in those who are genetically predisposed to the disease. In Australia over 10,000 people are treated for Malignant Melanomas each year.
What Is The Most Effective Treatment?
Dr Buckland is a highly skilled skin cancer plastic surgeon who provides the accurate diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers. For more information contact us today.
Benign Tumours of the Skin
Benign Skin Tumours are growths caused by abnormal proliferation or collection of cells in the skin. Rest assured Dr Buckland has extensive experience and training in treating this type of skin cancer.
These tumours are benign which means they do not turn cancerous. Some common Benign Skin Tumours include moles, skin tags and seborrhoeic keratosis.
How Are Benign Skin Tumours Treated?
Dr Buckland is a highly skilled skin cancer plastic surgeon who can provide accurate diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders including benign tumours.
During your consultation, Dr Buckland will address your specific concerns, discuss the details of your surgery and anticipated recovery, as well as discussing techniques to reduce scarring in the long-term. He will also take the time to answer the many questions you may have.
If your skin cancer surgery requires consultation with other cancer specialists, Dr Buckland has a network of colleagues in the oncology field who can provide additional treatment if required. For more information contact us today.