Skin Cancer of the Face

• Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of cells of the skin
• It is most often caused by sun exposure/damage
• Skin cancer can occur in all people regardless of skin color or pigmentation
• Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer
• Actinic keratosis is a risk factor for developing skin cancer often occurring on the lower lip and face
• Melanoma accounts for less than 1% of all skin cancers but the majority of skin cancer deaths
• Squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma can occur within the oral cavity and are not related to sun exposure
• The Department of Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery advocates safe sun practice with proper clothing, hats and sunscreens with at least an SPF of 30
• The UMOMSA Head & Neck Cancer team utilize various techniques including laser therapy and surgery to treat both pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions
• Surgical reconstruction is performed both in the UMOMSA office practice (650 West Baltimore St, Suite #1401), the University of Maryland Medical Center or Sinai Hospital of Baltimore