Signature Dermatology

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Surgical and Procedural Dermatology

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

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About Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

What is it?

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally-invasive skin cancer removal treatment for individuals with precancerous skin lesions (such as actinic keratoses) or non-melanoma skin cancers (like basal cell carcinoma). PDT eliminates cancer cells through the utilization of both drug and light therapy. First, a topical solution is applied for absorption by the cancerous cells. Later, the affected area is targeted with a very specific wavelength of light that uses an active form of oxygen to destroy the cancerous cells.

What to expect with Photodynamic Therapy

As your community skin cancer experts, we are here to provide support and strength should you ever receive a diagnosis of skin cancer. You can be comfortable discussing everything you need to know about this disease with our neighborhood providers. We will be with you every step of the way, from diagnosis to prognosis and from treatment to aftercare support. With photodynamic therapy, our specialists can eradicate specific types of skin cancer tumors, allowing you to live life to the fullest. This treatment is safe and effective at treating various types of cancer or precancerous cells, and since PDT is less invasive than other skin cancer treatments, you will be able to return to your normal life soon after the treatment is completed.

After the procedure

Photodynamic therapy precisely targets cancerous cells, allowing for quick recovery and little-to-no scarring after healing. Contact us today to learn if PDT is right for you.

Our approach & expertise

As your community skin cancer experts, we are here to provide support and strength should you ever receive a diagnosis of skin cancer. Our caring neighborhood staff is ready to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have. You can lean on us as an integral pillar of support through this process, as even for completely cancer-free patients, apprehension and emotional scars can still persist.
Healthy skin is our passion, so contact and office today to find out if photodynamic therapy is the right skin cancer treatment for you.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery

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About Mohs Micrographic Surgery

What is it?

Developed in the 1930s by Dr. Frederick Mohs, Mohs micrographic surgery is an extremely effective treatment for a variety of skin cancers. Due to its accuracy, high success rate, and cosmetically appropriate outcomes, Mohs remains the gold standard for skin cancer removal. The surgical specialists at our center are highly trained to perform this precise surgery with skill and technique refined through years of experience and study.

What to expect with Mohs Micrographic Surgery

We are fortunate to have a large team of Mohs surgeons on our staff who have devoted all their attention to treating skin cancer patients. These specialists can remove all vestiges of the tumor so you can have your life back and live it to the fullest. With Mohs, elimination of a tumor is precise and success is immediate and long-lasting. Under the expert guidance of our surgeons, Mohs surgery can provide complete tumor removal, including cancerous cells that are unseen (and therefore left behind) during other skin cancer removal procedures. Once skin cancer has been eliminated from your tissues, treatment is complete and you’ll be 100% cancer-free, with no estimation or uncertainty.

After the procedure

The Mohs procedure has a proven high success rate (studies have shown 5-year cure rates of over 99% for new cancers) and grants patients quicker recovery times (2-4 weeks) than other skin cancer procedures.

Our approach & expertise

We know that the physical and psychological impact of skin cancer can be traumatic and painful. As your community skin cancer experts, we’re here to provide you with encouragement, strength, and answers to any questions you may have about the condition. We’ll be with you every step of the way, from diagnosis to treatment and finally aftercare and recovery. We’ll remain an integral part of your inner circle of support throughout the process, as even for completely cancer-free patients, apprehension and emotional scars can still persist.
Healthy skin is our passion at Signature Dermatology in Fort Worth, so contact us today to learn more about Mohs micrographic surgery and how it can successfully treat your skin cancer.

Melanoma

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About Melanoma

What is it?

The most common type of cancer in the country is skin cancer, and melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. In general, melanoma and other skin cancers – squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma – form due to negative mutations of skin cell DNA in the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). The spread of these mutations to adjacent cells, particularly when uncontrolled and rapid, raises the risk of malignancy. Melanoma develops when mutations occur in melanocyte cells, which are skin cells located in the bottom layer of the epidermis. Melanomas frequently form in areas that don’t get much sun exposure and often start out as a mole, a large brown spot, or an irregular lesion.

What causes Melanoma?

Melanoma can occur regardless of your ethnicity, race, skin type, or skin color. The damage accumulation from years of exposure to the sun’s UV rays is the biggest cause of melanoma. Other causes include a compromised immune system or exposure to toxins, radiation, and other harmful substances Additionally, there are several risk factors associated with melanoma. These risk factors include the following: family history of skin cancer, fair skin, numerous sunburns through the years, sunny climates, locations at high altitude, moles, and precancerous lesions (e.g., actinic keratosis).

Common treatments

If you’ve been diagnosed with this, the following treatment options are very effective: topical medications, superficial radiation therapy (SRT), Mohs micrographic surgery, surgical excision procedure, photodynamic therapy (PDT), cryotherapy, and electrodesiccation and curettage. Not all of these options are available at all offices. Please call to check.

Our approach & expertise

We understand how a diagnosis of melanoma can impact your life. That’s why, as your local skin experts, we’re here with the knowledge and training to help you overcome this disease. We offer solutions tailored to suit your health needs and goals, and we’ll be with you every step of the way, from diagnosis and prognosis to compassionate aftercare support. If you have melanoma symptoms or are regularly exposed to risk factors, you should schedule a screening with our knowledgeable skin cancer experts. Our neighborhood staff offers compassionate support while working to find the best solution for you.
Healthy skin is our passion. Contact us today to learn more about melanoma and the treatment options we provide for this condition.

Skin Cancer

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About Skin Cancer

What is it?

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US, affecting around 20 percent of Americans. However, it does not have to be fatal, especially when caught early. That’s why you shouldn’t ignore unusual skin bumps, lesions, discolorations, and other irregularities when they appear. Although the causes of skin cancer vary, there are common risk factors to be aware of, which include chronic sun exposure, a family history of skin cancer, fair skin, multiple sunburns throughout your life, precancerous skin lesions, and sunny and/or high-altitude climates and locales.

What causes Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is caused by mutations in the DNA of skin cells, which then spreads to adjacent cells. When the spread is rapid or uncontrolled, it can easily become malignant. Three types of this disease are prevalent. The first is squamous cell carcinoma, which is located in cells just beneath the skin surface. The second is basal cell carcinoma (the most common type of skin cancer) which develops in the layer beneath squamous cells. Lastly, there is melanoma, the most dangerous variant. Melanoma forms under the other two layers of cells. A precancerous lesion, actinic keratosis (AK), also is possible; it usually is not life-threatening, but it can become cancerous if ignored.

Common treatments

Our experts at Signature Dermatology have the experience and training to help you overcome this disease. We highly recommend regular skin cancer screenings, especially if you are prone to the above risk factors. If a carcinoma is found, we’ll discuss the best solution with you from among the following treatment options: excisional surgery, electrodesiccation and curettage (EC&D), cryotherapy, and Mohs micrographic surgery.

Our approach & expertise

We provide an assortment of treatment options that can be customized to suit your needs based on your goals, concerns, and opinions about which treatment is right for you. We’ll be with you throughout the process with compassionate care and support so you can have your life back and live it to the fullest. We understand that a diagnosis can be traumatic and painful, both physically and emotionally. As your community skin cancer specialists, we’re here to provide encouragement, advice, and answers to your questions should you ever receive such a diagnosis. What sets us apart is our focus on you as a person. Our warm, compassionate practitioners are ready to address your concerns to be here as an essential part of your support.

Schedule an appointment with us now!