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Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment

Skin Check & Mole Mapping – At a Glance

Feature	Details
Condition	Skin Cancer
Focus	Early diagnosis and treatment
Consultation	Dermatologist-led assessment
Diagnostic Tools	Dermoscopy, biopsy, mole mapping
Treatment Options	Surgical excision, Mohs surgery, non-surgical therapies
Recovery	Depends on treatment
Follow-Up	Long-term skin monitoring available

Dermatology and skin health collage showing different skin care treatments

Young woman with healthy skin and a friendly expression

Skin Cancer

What Is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer develops when abnormal skin cells grow uncontrollably, often as a result of cumulative ultraviolet (UV) exposure over time.

Although skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer worldwide, it is also one of the most treatable when detected early. Ocean Clinic emphasises that prompt diagnosis significantly improves outcomes and may reduce the complexity of treatment required.

Young woman in three-quarter portrait showing natural skin appearance

Types of Skin Cancer

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer.

It may appear as:

A pearly bump
A persistent sore
A shiny patch
A scaly lesion

BCC rarely spreads elsewhere in the body but can grow locally and damage surrounding tissues if left untreated.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Squamous cell carcinoma is a faster-growing skin cancer that often develops on sun-exposed areas.

It may appear as:

A rough scaly patch
A crusted lesion
A sore that does not heal
An ulcerated growth

Early treatment is important to prevent progression.

Melanoma

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer.

It can develop:

Within an existing mole
As a completely new lesion
On any area of the body

Early detection is critical because melanoma can spread to other parts of the body if not treated promptly.

Close-up of a smiling young woman with natural-looking skin

Warning Signs to Watch For

Patients should seek dermatology assessment if they notice:

✓ A changing mole
✓ A mole becoming asymmetrical
✓ Irregular borders
✓ Multiple colours within a lesion
✓ Rapid growth
✓ Bleeding or ulceration
✓ Persistent itching
✓ A lesion that looks different from surrounding moles

The ABCDE rule remains one of the most useful methods for recognising suspicious skin lesions.

Professional esthetician at Ocean Clinic Marbella

How Is Skin Cancer Diagnosed?

Dermatology Consultation

Your consultation includes:

Medical history review
Assessment of risk factors
Full skin examination
Dermoscopic evaluation

Ocean Clinic uses dermoscopy to visualise structures beneath the skin surface and identify suspicious lesions more accurately.

Mole Mapping & Digital Monitoring

For patients with multiple moles or higher risk factors, Ocean Clinic may recommend:

AI-powered mole mapping
Digital lesion photography
Long-term monitoring

This allows subtle changes to be identified over time.

Skin Biopsy

If a lesion appears suspicious, a biopsy may be recommended. This involves:

Local anaesthetic
Removal of part or all of the lesion
Laboratory analysis by specialist pathologists

Ocean Clinic notes that biopsy is typically a quick outpatient procedure with results usually available within days.

Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) recovery room at Ocean Clinic Marbella

Skin Cancer Treatment Options

Treatment depends on:

Type of skin cancer
Location
Size
Depth
Individual patient factors

Surgical Excision

Surgical excision remains one of the most reliable treatments for many skin cancers.

The procedure involves:

Removing the lesion
Removing a safety margin of healthy tissue
Histological analysis

Ocean Clinic highlights the importance of achieving complete removal while minimising visible scarring whenever possible.

Consultation Dr Kai Kaye and Dr Gabriela Casabona Ocean Clinic Marbella

Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Mohs surgery is considered the gold standard for selected skin cancers, particularly those located on the:

Nose
Eyelids
Lips
Ears
Face

Benefits include:

Highest cure rates
Maximum tissue preservation
Immediate microscopic analysis
Optimal cosmetic outcomes

Ocean Clinic notes that Dr. Gabriela Casabona has specialised experience in Mohs surgery and skin cancer reconstruction.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Selected superficial skin cancers may be treated using:

Cryotherapy
Topical treatments
Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
Light-based therapies

These options are generally reserved for carefully selected cases.

Prevention & Long-Term Monitoring

Successful treatment does not eliminate future risk.

Ocean Clinic recommends:

☆ Regular skin checks
☆ Mole mapping when appropriate
☆ Sun protection
☆ Self-examination
☆ Ongoing dermatology follow-up

Patients with previous skin cancer diagnoses often benefit from annual or bi-annual monitoring programmes.

Reception and entrance area of Ocean Clinic Marbella

Who Should Consider a Skin Cancer Check?

A skin cancer assessment may be particularly important if you:

☆ Have more than 50 moles
☆ Have a family history of melanoma
☆ Have had severe sunburns
☆ Have used tanning beds
☆ Have fair skin
☆ Have changing or unusual moles
☆ Have previously had skin cancer

These are all recognised risk factors highlighted by Ocean Clinic’s dermatology department.

Collage showing dermatology treatment facilities and clinical equipment

Benefits of Early Detection

✓ Higher treatment success rates
✓ Less invasive treatment
✓ Smaller surgical procedures
✓ Better cosmetic outcomes
✓ Reduced risk of progression
✓ Greater peace of mind

Ocean Clinic strongly emphasises early diagnosis as the most important factor in successful skin cancer treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions - Skin Cancer

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer and is highly treatable when detected early.

Diagnosis may involve a skin examination, dermoscopy, mole mapping and biopsy.

Any mole that changes in size, shape, colour or appearance should be assessed by a dermatologist.

Mohs surgery is a specialised technique that removes skin cancer layer by layer while preserving healthy tissue.

Many skin cancers can be successfully treated when diagnosed early.