Q. Pre-cancerous – what does that mean? Soon? Maybe? Never?
A. Pre-cancerous is a term we use for lesions (spots) that have the potential to become cancerous if they are not treated. Most commonly we are referring to actinic keratosis, which can become squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated. It can take anywhere from months to years before these spots become skin cancer, but treatment to prevent the development of cancer is ideal. We have many options for doing so, with some treatments being in the office and some are treatments applied at home. We tailor the treatment to the patients’ needs and lifestyle. If you have a history of skin cancer, pre-cancers, or just have suspicious spots we are always happy to check them!