Skin cancer
Overview
Globally, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, accounting for at least 40% of all cancer cases. It is categorized into non-melanoma, which accounts for most skin cancers and is usually not life-threatening, and melanoma which can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Some people are more prone to skin cancer. Risk factors include:
- Having fair skin
- Having light colored eyes
- Having light colored hair
- A tendency to burn rather than suntan
- A history of severe sunburns
- Having many moles
- Having freckles
- A family history of skin cancer
Symptoms
The incidence of both non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers has been increasing dramatically over the past decades. Currently, between 2 to 3 million non-melanoma skin cancers and 132,000 melanoma skin cancers are diagnosed globally each year. One in every three cancers diagnosed is a skin cancer and, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation Statistics, one in five people will develop some form of skin cancer in their lifetime.
Therefore, regular skin checks and early detection and treatment of these is crucial. Thankfully, if detected early, skin cancer is completely curable.
Diagnosis
The dermatology team at the GMI includes a procedural dermatologist and skin cancer specialist who specializes in the early detection and diagnosis of all forms of skin cancer, as well as their procedural and surgical management.
Why GMI
At the GMI, a dedicated team of highly specialized and sub-specialized dermatologists will address your skin concerns, guiding you through your entire journey, from your consultation and diagnostic work-up to your treatment and post-treatment care.
The GMI team will never offer a simple “one size fits all” approach to any patient. We believe each patient’s case is as individual as they are, and strive to find the best treatment plan for each of our patients, taking their case and diagnosis, their lifestyle, and choices into account. To determine the best course of action, each patient’s case is discussed in a multidisciplinary board, where indicated, where several experts with different specialties come together to create your comprehensive treatment plan.
We have invested in advanced technology for the early diagnosis, monitoring, and management of your skin condition. Some of these include digital dermoscopy, artificial intelligence mole mapping, laser treatments as well as tools used in minimally invasive approaches. Any further investigation you may require can also be performed at the GMI, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scans and positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET / CT), , histopathology (for biopsies) or blood investigations done in our laboratory, and more.
Our specialized doctors offer a full spectrum of treatment options including minimally invasive procedures, skin surgery, laser treatments, but also radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and advanced systemic therapies, and new treatments such as immuno/chemo-therapy treatments for advanced cases.
We believe each of our patients is more than their diagnosis. We therefore offer dedicated teams supporting our patients by offering more than just expert medical care, through a wholistic approach. These services include psychological help, integrative medical services (including yoga classes, and acupuncture) physiotherapy, and rehabilitation services, as well as a GMI Patient Advocacy Program.
Adhering to our passion for innovation, and desire to progress the medical field, the GMI Department of Dermatology both initiates and participates in several clinical trials in which the most modern and advanced treatment concepts are tested.
