Melanoma

Treating Melanoma in LA

During the last several years, there has been a sharp uptick in the number of skin cancer cases. This may be due to numerous factors, including global warming, and people living in warm climates such as Los Angeles. There’s an increased incidence rate for all skin cancers, including the most serious form of skin cancer, melanoma.

Fortunately, the BHSkin Dermatology team is recognized for its excellence in treating melanomas. Make sure to book your consultation and yearly skin checks with the trustworthy, experienced BHSkin Dermatology team. We have melanoma surgeons located at our Encino and Glendale locations that have diagnosed and treated hundreds of patients.

Identifying Melanoma

The first step in successfully treating melanoma is identifying it, preferably as early as possible. This requires a comprehensive skin check from a qualified dermatologist. If you notice any new spots on your skin, like a mole, then you should have it looked at. We’ll check for asymmetry, irregular borders, color variations, diameter, and see if it has grown larger over time. Feel free to take photos of any skin changes too so we can take a look and make a comparison.

If the spot does look concerning, then we’ll do a biopsy. The biopsy results will tell us if the suspicious spot is cancerous or not. It will also tell us the type of cancer you are dealing with, such as:

A light blue vertical arrow points downward on a plain background. The arrow spans the entire length of the image and is simplistic in design, with no additional text or context.

Getting Treatment for Melanoma

There are a variety of treatment options available for melanoma, but it depends on the depth of melanoma invasion into the layers of the skin. Here are a few treatment options:

#1 Wide Excision Surgery

If there is less than 1 cm of melanoma invasion, then we’d recommend a wide surgical excision. For this procedure, a melanoma surgeon cuts out the tumor. The normal skin near the edges of the tumor is removed too. Overall, this procedure is pretty minor.

#2 Mohs Surgery

We recommend Mohs surgery if there is no sign of melanoma invasion. For this procedure, the skin is removed in very thin layers until there is no more cancer present. We have specially trained dermatologists on staff who can perform this procedure. Book a virtual consultation to learn more about this melanoma treatment in Los Angeles.

#3 Other Surgeries

A lymph node dissection and wide excision are recommended if the melanoma invasion is deeper than 1 cm. A surgeon will remove all of the lymph nodes that are present near the tumor growth.

#4 Imiquimod Cream

Imiquimod is for individuals in the very early stages of melanoma. This cream is applied a few times per week over the course of 3 months. The goal of this drug is to build up the body’s immune system so it can fight off the cancer cells.

Learn the Best Melanoma Treatment For You

Overall, your melanoma surgeon will work with you to determine the best treatment for your unique case. The decision ultimately depends on where the melanoma is located and how advanced or invasive the particular cancer is. In some cases, your melanoma doctor will be able to treat the cancer with only surgery. In other cases, it may be necessary to combine the surgery with radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Why Patients Choose BHSkin Dermatology for Melanoma Treatment

We know the process of seeking cancer treatment can be scary and intimidating for patients. People often do not know where to turn after they have heard the dreaded “C-word.” However, if you are still thinking about where to turn to, look no further than our highly experienced team at BHSkin Dermatology.

A Track Record for Success and Compassion

We have some of the best melanoma surgeons in the Los Angeles area. We also have a long track record of successfully treating patients with melanomas of varying stages and complexities. And, with all of our patients and cases, the BHSkin Dermatology team brings a patient-centered approach to the treatment plan. We deal with all of our patients in a caring and compassionate manner.