Patient Education

• Canadian Dermatology Association
• CDA Info Sheets
• Canadian Skin Patient Alliance
• Rosacea.org
• Skin cancer
  Skin cancer is an epidemic, don't become a statistic!
  
  Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the world, and it continues to become more frequent in our society.
  
  There are 3 main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Other forms of skin cancer, like skin lymphoma (mycosis fungoides), are less common.
  
  It is very important to properly diagnose each skin cancer, because some types are much more serious and need immediate and aggressive treatment.
  
  The dermatologists at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre usually biopsy the cancerous growth to determine the exact type of cancer, in order to guide therapy. Once diagnosed, the cancer may be treated locally with destructive techniques (scraping and burning, liquid nitrogen cold spray), surgically removed (excision with stitches), or referred for microscopic surgery (Mohs Surgery). In some cases where the cancer is very early or superficial in the skin, topical immune-activating creams may be used. In other cases, opinions of other specialists like radiation oncologists, oncologists or various surgeons may also be included in the management to ensure all available options reach the patient.
   
• Psoriasis
  Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious.
  
  There are five types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, appears as raised, red patches or lesions covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells, called scale. Psoriasis can occur on any part of the body and is associated with other serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and depression.