As of December 23rd 2023, Dr Metzman has Retired and the practice is not open for patient care. Patients can obtain their medical records by contacting Morgan Records Management, morganrecordsmanagement.com - (833) 888-0061
Skin Cancer
CONTACT INFORMATION
Michael S. Metzman, M.D
9951 Mickelberry Rd NW Suite 201
Silverdale, Washington 98383
Silverdale, Washington 98383
Phone:
(360) 692-7318
Fax: (360) 308-0758
Fax: (360) 308-0758
Call for Skin Questions!
Please call if you have any skin care questions, especially if you suspect you may have skin cancer or precancerous skin. I can schedule you an appointment and have your skin evaluated for your peace of mind. If you prefer, you can also fill out the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
SKIN CANCER INFORMATION
The Most Common Form of Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and its incidence is rising dramatically. It is also one of the easiest types of cancer to treat. A major focus of my practice is skin exams
for early detection and prevention of skin cancer. I am an expert in diagnosing and treating melanoma, squamous cell, and basal cell cancer - the three most common types of skin cancer. By carefully examining your skin for skin cancer I can tell which spots may be skin cancers or precancerous lesions. If a skin cancer or precancer is found, your treatment will be carefully tailored to your specific needs based on the type of cancer and its location
What to Expect:
During a skin exam, I look to see if any lesions raise my concern. If so, usually they are biopsied and sent to a laboratory to be reviewed by board certified dermatopathologists. These are pathologists who are experts in diagnosing skin conditions under the microscope. If a cancer is present I will discuss treatment options with you and together we will decide how to proceed.
Types of Skin Cancer:
Basal Cell Carcinoma
This is the most common and least aggressive form of skin cancer. It usually appears on skin that has had sun exposure. Basal cell carcinoma rarely spreads to other areas of the body, but it can be locally invasive and rarely can cause deep tissue, bone and even nerve damage.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This is the second most common form of skin cancer. It not only can be locally destructive, but can sometimes spread to other areas of the body. It is important to have squamous cell carcinomas treated early, limiting the chances of spreading.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the most serious form of common skin cancers. It can spread to other areas of the body and may be deadly. Melanomas can arise from a pre-existing mole or from normal skin. With early detection most melanomas can be cured.
Other Concerns:
Actinic Keratosis
These are very common lesions on the skin that are considered precancerous. If these are left untreated they can turn into squamous cell carcinomas. I am an expert in identifying these lesions, and when found they are usually treated in the office using liquid nitrogen. However, there are several other potential treatments I use to address actinic keratosis, including Efudex, Aldara and Levulan Photodynamic Therapy.
Moles
Almost everyone has moles, but people who have many moles, particularly ones that look unusual, have an increased risk of melanoma. Most moles are benign but some have the potential to become melanomas. I have years of experience in identifying moles that might become, or are melanomas. Every mole that is removed is sent to my dermatopathologists to determine if they are benign, atypical or melanoma.