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What are Precancerous Growths?

The most common type of precancerous skin growth is called actinic keratosis (AK). These lesions often form in groups and appear on skin that has received frequent sun exposure or exposure to artificial UV rays such as the head, neck, or hands. These growths have a crusty appearance and if left untreated, could eventually turn into skin cancer. Precancerous growths develop slowly and can grow to be approximately one-quarter of an inch.

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How are Actinic Keratoses Treated?

Since there is no way to know which AKs will turn into cancer in the long run, it is best to treat all of them and remove the risk of developing skin cancer in the future. AKs are often removed with cryotherapy, essentially freezing the lesion and surrounding tissue so it will die and eventually fall off. They can also be removed surgically.

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What are Cancerous Growths?

Skin cancer may affect men and women of all ages and races, and is most commonly found in three types:

  • Squamous cell carcinoma is found more frequently in individuals with darker skin and can appear on areas which have been repeatedly exposed to the sun. It looks like a firm, red bump with a scaly surface.
  • Basal cell carcinoma appears to be a red, waxy nodule often found on the face, neck, or ears.
  • Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer and can develop on any part of your body, regardless of sun exposure.
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How are Precancerous or Cancerous Skin Growths Treated?

If it is determined that your lesions are cancerous, further tests may be needed in order to determine the depth of cancer. Your treatment options for cancerous lesions will be determined by the size and severity of your skin cancer, but may include freezing the lesion, surgical removal of the lesion(s), curettage in which the lesion is scraped away, radiation, chemotherapy, Moh’s surgery, or photodynamic therapy.

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Belmont

974 SouthPoint Road, Suite D
Belmont NC 28012

Phone: 704-755-8020

Fax: 704-755-8021

Charlotte/Blakeney

5815 Blakeney Park Drive, Suite 100
Charlotte, NC 28277

Phone: 704-542-2220

Fax: 704-542-3304

Charlotte/Cotswold

309 S. Sharon Amity Road, Suite 200
Charlotte, NC 28211

Phone: 704-344-8846

Fax: 704-344-9844

Denver

7476 Waterside Loop Road #600
Denver, NC 28037

Phone: 704-601-4381

Fax: 704-822-5997

Forest City

651 Withrow Road
Forest City, NC 28043

Phone: 828-288-1204

Fax: 828-288-1205

Gastonia/937 Cox Road

937 Cox Road
Gastonia, NC 28054

Phone: 704-898-8014

Fax: 704-898-8018

Gastonia/959 Cox Road

959 Cox Road
Gastonia, NC 28054

Phone: 704-866-7576

Fax: 704-866-0106

Hickory/Tate Blvd. Building 100

315 19th St. SE, Building 100
Hickory, NC 28602

Phone: 828-325-9849

Fax: 828-325-9879

Hickory/Tate Blvd. Building 200

315 19th St. SE, Building 200
Hickory, NC 28602

Phone: 828-328-3500

Fax: 828-328-8777

Huntersville

13539 Reese Blvd W.
Huntersville, NC 28078

Phone: 704-892-4878

Fax: 704-892-7453

Shelby

105 Delta Park Drive
Shelby, NC 28150

Phone: 704-484-0464

Fax: 704-482-0308

Map of Locations

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