The skin is our largest organ that protects us from sunlight, heat, water loss, and infection. It also regulates our body temperature and is involved with vitamin D production. The skin's two main layers are the epidermis, the outermost layer, and the dermis, or the inner layer. Most skin cancers start in the epidermis, which contains three kinds of cells: squamous cells, basal cells, and melanocytes. The cell involved determines the type of skin cancer.
Nonmelanoma skin cancers including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most frequent.
Melanoma originates in the pigment cells, melanocytes. It accounts for less than five percent of skin cancer cases, but is the most likely to spread to other organs.
Conditions and Treatments
- Non-melanoma Skin Cancers
Basal Cell Skin Cancer
Squamous Cell Skin Cancer
Kaposi Sarcoma
Mycosis Fungoides and the Sézary Syndrome - Melanoma
- Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Why Choose Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center?
Sylvester is an NCI-designated cancer center. The National Cancer Institute has reaffirmed us as South Florida’s only NCI-designated cancer center. We have been recognized for our scientific leadership, our commitment to training the next generation of cancer researchers and providers, as well as our engagement with the communities that we serve. For patients, this designation translates into greater access to leading-edge treatment options, including clinical trials that prioritize your specific cancer.
World class melanoma surveillance and detection clinic. Earlier detection options and more accurate diagnoses helps us identify melanoma when it is most treatable.
Immunotherapy clinical trials. You’ll have access to the most advanced treatment options in South Florida.
One of the few institutions to offer reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM). RCM is able to differentiate between melanoma and other less serious or benign skin lesions to provide an accurate diagnosis. It gives high magnification images of the skin, enabling more accurate diagnosis of lesions that are not entirely defined on clinical examination and dermoscopy.
Advanced expertise in immunohistochemistry and tumor markers. Our expert pathologists make more accurate diagnoses. When pathologists can make the call on the aggressiveness of the tumor, treatment can be more appropriately recommended.
Treating more skin cancers than other providers in our region. Because we see so many patients with skin cancers, we have the experience needed to provide better outcomes with fewer potential complications.
Questions? We're here to help.
Our appointment specialists are ready to help you find what you need. Contact us today.