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Newly Diagnosed?
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Newly Diagnosed? We Can Help
Getting the correct diagnosis and the most appropriate treatment from the start is crucial

Most suspected skin cancers are first noticed by the patient or by a family member and brought to the attention of a doctor.

To make a diagnosis of skin cancer, the doctor will take a complete medical history and also question the patient about his or her history of sun exposure and exposure to other known causes of skin cancer, and personal and family history of skin conditions. The doctor will probably ask when the mark appeared, and whether it has changed in size or appearance. He or she will perform a skin examination and may also check for enlarged lymph nodes, which can indicate that a cancer has spread.

If the doctor believes there is any cause for concern about a particular patch of skin, he or she will perform a biopsy, in which all or part of the growth is surgically removed. This is usually done in the doctor's office using just a local anesthetic. The skin that was removed is then examined under a microscope by a pathologist to determine if any cancer is present. If so, the doctor will determine the stage of disease, or how far it has progressed, in order to determine the best possible treatment.


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