Skin cancer (non-melanoma) is the most common type of cancer in the United States.
The two most common types of skin cancer are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. These cancers usually form in areas exposed to the sun such as the head, face, neck, hands, and arms. But skin cancer can occur anywhere.
Melanoma is a different, more dangerous, type of skin cancer. Learn more about melanoma.
Our skin cancer doctors are located throughout Willamette Valley and are available to talk to you about your nonmelanoma skin cancer and treatment options.
A non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosis can leave you questioning what happens next. While this may be a challenging time, know that you’re not alone. The skin cancer specialists at WVCI are here to support you every step of the way, answering your questions and connecting you with the resources you need.
Read our newly diagnosed guide for helpful tips on what happens next.
Early detection is key for the best outcomes possible. Find out what you can do to monitor your skin regularly and what to do if you see something out of the ordinary.
If non-melanoma skin cancer spreads from its original place to another part of the body, the new growth has the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name as the primary growth. It is still considered skin cancer. Learn more about the stages of skin cancer and how that will impact the treatment that’s recommended.
For most patients skin cancer treatment includes the removal of the cancerous cells. This might be done in the dermatologists office when they spot something out of the ordinary and remove it for testing. Or, if a larger spot is found, a special surgical procedure is planned to remove the cancerous area and some of the skin nearby called the “margin”.
Some patients may not need other treatments. Others may require additional skin cancer therapies to be sure the cancer is not spreading.
The treatments and follow up care recommended for non-melanoma skin cancer patients are dependent on the type of skin cancer that was diagnosed.