Skin Cancer - Pictures and Descriptions     Back to Top

The three most common forms of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. 

Basal cell carcinoma usually develops in skin damaged by repeated severe sunburns.  It almost always arises from previously normal sun exposed skin.  It begins as a shiny pearly nodule which slowly enlarges. Frequently, the central portion breaks down to form an ulcer with a reddish-purple scab. These tumors usually remain fairly localized and rarely spread elsewhere.

 Squamous cell carcinoma evolves very slowly through a premalignant stage known as a solar or actinic keratosis.  Solar keratoses are superficial, tender, burning, red, scaling, crusted lesions which develop on sun exposed skin after many years of chronic sun damage.  About 10% of these keratoses ultimately develop into frank squamous cell carcinoma.  This is a red , scaling, crusted raised nodular  lesion which may ucerate  centrally.  Untreated, significant numbers of these lesions can metastasize to distant sites.  Tumors on the lower lip and ears are at higher risk to spread. 

Melanomas are brownish pigmented malignant skin tumors which can be very dangerous since they have a significant potential to spread if not treated.  They arise from either pre-existing moles or normal skin, particularly after repeated severe sunburns.  These tumors usually have at least one area with a very dark brown or bluish black color.  Frequently there are variations of color ranging from browns and blacks to tans, reds, and even whitish shades.  The tumors are usually larger than the back of a pencil eraser,  are asymmetrical, and have irregular borders.  Any pigmented “mole” which changes in any way should  be evaluated by a trained health care professional.

Dr. Howard S. Goldberg is a graduate of New York University School of Medicine, and completed his dermatology residency at Tufts University School of Medicine, where he was “Chief Resident” his last year. Since 1971 Dr. Goldberg has practiced clinical dermatology with a specialty in reading and interpreting his own biopsy slides. He is board certified in dermatology and dermatopathology. 

Dr. Goldberg’s highly successful practice located in Swampscott, Massachusetts is the most advanced medical, cosmetic dermatology and aesthetic laser center on the north shore. The practice is dedicated to treating the dermatological and cosmetic concerns of all patients. Dr. Goldberg along with his staff specializes in the ‘rejuvenation of the aging skin’. 

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