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Undiagnosed Dermatology Clinic

If you think you may have skin cancer, screening is your best defense. 

Is it skin cancer?

It's a nagging fear that many of us have. Will those years of unprotected sun exposure ultimately lead to skin cancer? And how would you know if you had skin cancer? Would you recognize a suspicious mole or lesion?

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. More than 900,000 cases of basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer, both of which are highly curable, are diagnosed annually. About 40,000 cases of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, are diagnosed each year.

People with fair complexions, those who have had several blistering sunburns, individuals with a family history of skin cancer and those who have been exposed to coal tar, pitch, arsenic compounds, creosote, or radium are at risk and should be screened.

It's important to pay attention to changes in your skin and see a doctor if you notice a change in the size or color of a mole or freckle; a new mole or lesion; or an area of scaliness, itching, bleeding, tenderness, or pain.

Sizing up the problem 

If you suspect a problem or desire screening because you are at risk for skin cancer, the Cancer Prevention Center's Undiagnosed Dermatology Clinic is here for you. The dermatologists who lead this clinic are specially trained to find existing skin cancers at their earliest, and most treatable, stages.

If you desire skin cancer screening, a head-to-toe skin evaluation can be scheduled. If a problem exists, a specific evaluation can be performed. If a skin biopsy is needed, it can be handled immediately. A head-to-toe screening is recommended annually for adults.

As an added service, the clinic educates clients about reducing their risks of skin cancer to improve their chances of remaining free of skin cancer or to help them avoid a second occurrence

How to reach us

Patients can refer themselves to MD Anderson Cancer Center for cancer diagnosis, treatment, screening, or a second opinion about a skin lesion, including a change in a mole or freckle or other skin changes. Visit the Contact Us site to use the online self-referral form. 

Online Services

Take advantage of our online services, including myMDAnderson, the personalized site that helps you manage your cancer treatment:

  • Appointment schedules
  • Secure messaging with your care team
  • Patient education, billing, and more

Go to myMDAnderson

Patient Care Essentials


© 2013 The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center