Skin Cancers Treated
Skin Cancers Diagnosed and Treated at the Kare Skin Cancer Center in Santa Monica
The three primary skin cancers — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma — account for over 5 million diagnosed cases in the United States annually. In Southern California, cumulative UV exposure, outdoor lifestyle, and historical lack of sun protection awareness make these cancers especially prevalent. Dr. Sierro diagnoses and manages all three at the Kare Skin Cancer Center.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
The most common cancer in the United States — over 3.3 million cases diagnosed annually. BCC arises from basal cells in the deepest layer of the epidermis and is almost exclusively caused by UV radiation exposure. BCC rarely metastasizes but causes progressive local tissue destruction if untreated, particularly on the face, nose, ears, and scalp. Presentation varies widely — pearly papules, rolled borders, central ulceration (rodent ulcer), pigmented variants, and superficial BCC can all appear differently. Dermoscopy is essential for accurate BCC subtype identification. Treatment options include surgical excision, Mohs surgery for high-risk locations, and non-surgical approaches for superficial BCC.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
The second most common skin cancer — over 1 million cases diagnosed annually in the United States, with approximately 15,000 deaths per year. SCC arises from squamous keratinocytes and carries a significantly higher metastatic potential than BCC — particularly when arising on the ear, lip, temple, or in immunocompromised patients, where metastatic risk rises to 10–30%. SCC is frequently preceded by actinic keratosis — a UV-induced pre-cancerous lesion — making treatment of actinic keratoses an important skin cancer prevention strategy. Dr. Sierro excises SCC with appropriate margins and ensures complete pathological margin clearance at the Kare Skin Cancer Center.
Melanoma
The most dangerous form of skin cancer — responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths despite representing only about 1% of cases. Melanoma arises from melanocytes and has significant metastatic potential that increases dramatically with increasing Breslow thickness at diagnosis. Stage I melanoma (thin, localized) has a 5-year survival rate exceeding 98%. Stage IV melanoma has a 5-year survival rate below 30%. Early detection through regular dermoscopy-enhanced skin cancer screening is the single most effective melanoma mortality reduction strategy. Dr. Sierro identifies and manages melanoma at the Kare Skin Cancer Center with coordinated wide local excision and oncology referral.
Southern California skin cancer risk is higher than the national average. Year-round UV index of 6–10, outdoor recreation culture, and historical underuse of sun protection among older generations create a high-risk skin cancer environment in Santa Monica and greater Los Angeles. If you have not had a full-body skin cancer screening in the past year — or if you have noticed any new, changing, or unusual skin lesion — schedule an evaluation with Dr. Sierro at the Kare Skin Cancer Center immediately. Early-stage skin cancer is almost always curable. Call (310) 998-5533.
Warning Signs That Require Immediate Skin Cancer Evaluation
Non-Healing Sore
Any sore, ulceration, or wound on the skin that does not heal within 4 weeks — or that heals and then re-opens — is a classic warning sign of basal cell carcinoma and requires immediate biopsy evaluation by Dr. Sierro at the Kare Skin Cancer Center.
Pearly or Waxy Bump
A flesh-colored, pearly, or translucent bump — particularly on the face, ears, or neck — with visible superficial blood vessels (telangiectasias) and a rolled border is the most common clinical presentation of nodular basal cell carcinoma and warrants immediate evaluation.
Rough, Scaly Patch
A firm, rough, or scaly erythematous patch — particularly on sun-exposed skin of the face, scalp, ears, hands, or forearms — may represent an actinic keratosis (pre-cancer) or early squamous cell carcinoma. Actinic keratoses carry a 5–10% lifetime risk of progression to invasive SCC and should be treated promptly.
Changing Mole
Any mole that has changed in size, shape, color, or texture — or that has developed new symptoms including bleeding, itching, or crusting — requires urgent dermoscopic evaluation for melanoma. Rapidly growing or evolving lesions should be evaluated within days, not weeks.
Lesion on Ear or Lip
Squamous cell carcinomas arising on the ear and lip carry significantly higher metastatic risk than SCC at other body sites — up to 10–30% in some series. Any ulcerated, crusted, or indurated lesion on the ear or lip requires prompt biopsy evaluation at the Kare Skin Cancer Center. As demonstrated in Dr. Sierro's clinical case above, early earlobe SCC is curable with in-office excision.
New Lesion in Sun-Damaged Skin
Any new pigmented or non-pigmented lesion arising in a background of significant sun damage — actinic keratoses, solar lentigines, diffuse erythema — should be evaluated by dermoscopy. The highest-risk presentations of BCC and SCC can be subtle in heavily sun-damaged skin, requiring dermoscopic evaluation to distinguish skin cancer from benign background photodamage.
Dr. Sierro's Skin Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Approach
Dermoscopy-Enhanced Diagnosis
Every lesion evaluation at the Kare Skin Cancer Center includes dermoscopy — polarized light magnification that reveals the subsurface vascular, structural, and pigmentary features of skin lesions at 10x–40x magnification. Dermoscopy improves skin cancer diagnosis accuracy by up to 35% compared to naked eye evaluation. Dr. Sierro applies evidence-based dermoscopy pattern analysis — including BCC-specific features (arborizing vessels, blue-gray ovoid nests, spoke-wheel structures) and SCC features (coiled/glomerular vessels, white circles, surface scale) — to achieve the highest diagnostic sensitivity possible before biopsy.
Same-Day In-Office Biopsy
When dermoscopy identifies features concerning for BCC, SCC, or melanoma, Dr. Sierro performs an in-office skin biopsy under local anesthesia — shave, punch, or excisional — during the same visit in most cases. Same-day biopsy eliminates the delay and anxiety of scheduling a separate procedure appointment, and ensures that clinically suspicious lesions are sampled and submitted for pathology without unnecessary waiting. Biopsy technique is selected to provide optimal tissue for histopathological diagnosis and, when appropriate, to serve as definitive treatment.
Minimally Scarring Surgical Excision
Confirmed BCC and SCC are excised by Dr. Sierro using surgical margins appropriate to the cancer subtype, size, and anatomical location — guided by published evidence-based excision margin guidelines. Closure is performed with layered plastic surgery suture technique using the finest available monofilament suture for the narrowest possible scar line. On the face, ear, and other cosmetically sensitive areas, Dr. Sierro coordinates with the plastic surgery team at Kare Plastic Surgery when indicated to optimize closure geometry and minimize visible scarring at the excision site.
Post-Mohs Reconstruction & Coordinated Care
For skin cancers in high-risk anatomical locations — nose, periorbital area, lip, ear canal, and scalp — Mohs micrographic surgery performed by a Mohs surgeon provides the highest cure rates with the smallest possible excision defect. The plastic surgery team at Kare Plastic Surgery provides expert post-Mohs reconstruction — flap design, grafting, and layered closure — for complex defects following Mohs surgery. This integrated approach allows patients to receive dermatological diagnosis, oncological treatment, and plastic surgical reconstruction within the Kare Plastic Surgery network. Call (310) 998-5533.
"On the ear and lip, squamous cell carcinoma carries a metastatic risk that is ten times higher than SCC elsewhere on the body. The lesion I removed from that earlobe would have been easy to dismiss as a crust or a benign growth. Dermoscopy told a completely different story — and a same-day biopsy confirmed it."
— Dr. Tiffany Sierro, MD · Board-Certified Dermatologist · Kare Skin Cancer Center, Santa Monica
The Kare advantage — dermatology and plastic surgery under one roof: Patients at the Kare Skin Cancer Center benefit from the direct collaboration between Dr. Sierro and the plastic surgery team of Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian. Complex skin cancer excisions requiring flap reconstruction, skin grafting, or cosmetically demanding closure on the face and ear are managed seamlessly within the same practice — no external referrals, no coordination gaps, and a unified aesthetic vision from diagnosis through final closure. Call (310) 998-5533.
Related Resources at Kare Plastic Surgery
Appointments · Kare Skin Cancer Center Schedule a Skin Cancer Evaluation with Dr. Sierro →
Schedule a full-body skin cancer screening, suspicious lesion evaluation, or skin cancer biopsy with Dr. Tiffany Sierro at the Kare Skin Cancer Center. Same-week appointments available. (310) 998-5533. Serving Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, and Malibu.
Authority Page · Kare Plastic Surgery Skin Cancer Treatment Los Angeles →
Comprehensive skin cancer diagnosis and treatment at the Kare Skin Cancer Center — BCC, SCC, melanoma, dermoscopy, biopsy, minimally scarring excision, and post-Mohs reconstruction by Dr. Tiffany Sierro and Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian. (310) 998-5533.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the skin cancer center in Santa Monica?
The Kare Skin Cancer Center at Kare Plastic Surgery is located at 804 7th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Tiffany Sierro provides comprehensive skin cancer diagnosis and treatment — BCC, SCC, and melanoma — using dermoscopy, in-office biopsy, minimally scarring excision, and coordinated post-Mohs reconstruction. Call (310) 998-5533 to schedule.
What is the difference between basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma?
BCC arises from basal cells and is the most common cancer in the US — it rarely metastasizes but causes local tissue destruction if untreated. SCC arises from squamous keratinocytes and carries significantly higher metastatic risk, particularly on the ear and lip. Both are highly curable when diagnosed and treated early. Dr. Sierro at the Kare Skin Cancer Center diagnoses and treats both using dermoscopy-enhanced evaluation and minimally scarring excision. Call (310) 998-5533.
How is skin cancer removed in Santa Monica?
Skin cancer excision at the Kare Skin Cancer Center is performed under local anesthesia as an in-office procedure. Dr. Sierro excises BCC and SCC with appropriate surgical margins and closes the defect using layered fine plastic surgery suture technique for the narrowest possible scar. High-risk locations may be referred for Mohs surgery, with reconstruction coordinated by the plastic surgery team at Kare Plastic Surgery. Call (310) 998-5533.
How often should I be checked for skin cancer in Los Angeles?
Annual full-body skin cancer screenings are recommended for all adults. Patients with prior BCC, SCC, or melanoma, a large number of moles, significant sun exposure, tanning bed use, or immunosuppression should be screened every 6 months. Southern California's year-round UV exposure makes consistent screening especially important. Dr. Sierro provides individualized screening intervals at the Kare Skin Cancer Center. Call (310) 998-5533.
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