The first line treatment of skin cancer is always surgical excision and it is better
to treat early than late.
BCC, also known as “Rodent ulcer”, is very common and makes up 80-85% of all skin cancers. It usually develops on the face, nose and around the mouth of fair-skinned individuals. It may just be a red patch or shiny bump or an open sore or ulcer that does not heal.
In Asians, it often presents as a pigmented bump, giving the misleading impression that it is a mole. This type of cancer can be cured easily if treated early with surgery.
SCC makes up 10% of all skin cancers and usually appears as a scaly patch or raised warty growth. It also has a high cure rate when found and treated early with surgery. In rare cases, if not treated, it can be deadly.
Melanoma makes up only 5% of all skin cancers. However, it is the most dangerous form of skin cancer and the leading cause of death from all skin diseases combined. It usually looks like a dark brown or black mole-like lesion with irregular edges. This type of skin cancer can occur anywhere on the body and when found early, can be cured with surgery. If ignored, it spreads throughout the body and can be fatal.
One thing worthy of note is that more than 50% of melanomas are believed to arise from the skin without any preexisting pigmented lesion. Early detection of melanoma is our only hope of reducing mortality and achieving a cure. Emphasizing to high-risk patients about the need for regular full body mole / skin cancer check is very important.
The warning signs of early melanoma follow the ABCDE criteria for a changing mole:
Superficial spreading melanoma with asymmetry(A), irregular border (B), hyperpigmented colour (C) and diameter greater than 6mm(D). This melanoma below was picked up incidentally.
A “changing mole” is the most common symptom of melanoma. More than 80% of patients with melanoma have observed such warning signs at the time of diagnosis. Symptoms, such as bleeding, itching, ulceration and pain in a pigmented lesion, also warrant evaluation.
If you have a family history or other risk factors of melanoma, it is important for you to schedule regular check-ups with a dermatologist for early detection of melanoma.
The first line treatment of skin cancer is always surgical excision and it is better to treat early than late. A skin biopsy with laboratory analysis is necessary to confirm the clinical suspicion. Thereafter, your dermatologist will schedule a surgery to completely remove the skin cancer.
A wide excision surgery is necessary depending on the type of skin cancers you have. Further blood test and imaging studies may have to be done to detect if cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy may sometimes be necessary as follow-up treatment.
Useful Link: Blog on What you need to know about Mole removal!
In 1998–2000, Dr Wong Soon Tee was conferred the Commonwealth Fellowship by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (UK) to research on skin cancers at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, Skin Tumour Laboratory. This has honed his skills and sharpness in picking up early skin cancer and removing them.
Dr Wong was trained in the UK for Dermatosurgery and Laser surgery and he has screened many patients for suspicious moles over 30 years as a dermatologist in NUH, Raffles Hospital and Assurance Skin Clinics. All his patients with skin cancer have been coming back to him yearly for skin cancer screening.
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Camden Medical Centre
#10-01, 1 Orchard Boulevard,
Singapore 248649
Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri: 9.00am-5.00pm;
Thurs, Sat: 9.00am-12.30pm;
Sun & Public Holidays: Closed
Dr Wong connects well with his patients & he is a specialist with over 30 years of experience.
Our specialist listens & explains well to his patients on their skin issues and their queries.
We offer carefully curated FDA & HSA-approved treatments that give effective results.
Full financial counselling & adherence to MOH guidelines on the surgical fee.
