Years of enjoying the sun can take a toll on one's skin, especially for those with pale complexions. The Swier Clinic announces the opening of the Skin Center at the Swier Clinic, whose goal is the diagnosis of skin cancer and the removal of harmful lesions in its state-of-the-art lab.

Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells. It occurs most often in areas of the skin that have been exposed to ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds. Surprisingly, it can also occur on areas not ordinarily exposed to sunlight and in those with a family history of skin cancer.

There are four major types of lesions to be aware of: actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. People can reduce their risk of skin cancer by limiting exposure to ultraviolet radiation and practicing safe sun habits. It is also important to have any suspicious changes to the skin checked by a medical professional. This can help detect skin cancer at early stages, giving the best chance for successful treatment.

The Swier Clinic specializes in the treatment of skin cancer and reversing the signs of aging. Those who have skin damage as a result of overexposure to the sun or a skin lesion of concern are urged to call for a consultation. The clinic's highly qualified physician’s assistants will examine each lesion of concern. A topical treatment or laser treatment may be prescribed if the lesion is pre-cancerous or non-malignant but still of concern. If the area appears to be suspicious, the physician’s assistant will biopsy the lesion and send the sample to pathology for review, and will explain results during the follow-up appointment.

If the biopsy is positive for skin cancer, Dr. Patrick Swier will remove the lesion. The procedure requires the removal of a portion of the tissue mass. The sample is immediately taken to the clinic's pathology lab where a pathologist will freeze the tissue in a cryostat machine, cut it with microtome and stain it with various dyes so it can be examined under a microscope. The dyes allow Swier and the pathologist to determine when the surgical margins are clear of cancer.

Call 302-645-7737 to set up an appointment.